Sorry; no Christmas in Kampala

Street vendors’ fate

Some are hoping for a last-minute reprieve from KCCA to allow them display their wares on the street pavements during the day. It has happened in the past. In 2015, KCCA passed a resolution freeing vendors to sell merchandise along the streets in the last week ushering in Christmas. This time, however, with just a few days to Christmas, KCCA is yet to arrive at a decision on whether to allow vendors and hawkers well merchandise along the streets.

Robert Kalumba, the Assistant Spokesperson of KCCA, says vendors can only sell their merchandise at designated streets after 5pm according to the resolution passed in October this year.

“The Sunday markets along Luwum street has been a successful trial which vendors can take advantage of especially this weekend since consumers are already in high gear for festive season shopping,” says Kalumba.

KCCA plans to roll out the concept of the Sunday market in other divisions of Kampala next year.

Kalumba says KCCA is working to balance trade, crime, and decongest the city in this festive season. Part of the move to decongest is the recent resolve to have designated spots for buses traveling to different parts of the country.

KCCA in partnership with Transport Licensing Board have introduced changes to the stations with effect from Monday 12, 2016 to streamline the transport industry in the city.

As street vendors await their fate, traders in markets, arcades and shopping malls are vowing to fight street vending during this period when they hope for mega sales.

Issa Sekitto, the spokesperson of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), says they have not received any form of communication from KCCA or any other authority in relation to street vending during the festive season.

“Street vendors can only sell their merchandise during the specified hours along designated streets. We cannot be in the same business yet making meager sales as our colleagues reap,” says Sekitto.

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editor@independent.co.ug