By Diana N. Kintu
Kampala: The Government has assured traders affected by the ongoing Trade Order operations that alternative workstations will be established to ensure business continuity.
According to the statement, the commitment was made by Mr. Ben Kumumanya, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, during a consultative meeting with representatives of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA) led by President John Kabanda.
Mr. Kumumanya emphasized that the Government remains committed to creating sufficient trade spaces so that vendors displaced during the exercise can resume business.
“The objective of the Trade Order is to restore order, improve sanitation, ease traffic flow, and ensure that business activities are conducted in gazetted and approved trading areas in line with the law,” he said.
The meeting reviewed progress of the Trade Order operations and sought to harmonize implementation across local governments.
According to the statement, the Permanent Secretary condemned inhumane enforcement methods reported in some areas, including forceful evictions, confiscation of goods, and demolition of business structures without proper notice.
“Enforcement must be carried out in a fair and humane manner. The issue is not with the policy itself, but with improving how it is implemented,” he stressed.
Mr. David Nuwabine, spokesperson for the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), informed the meeting that the number of licensed traders in Kampala had increased from 12,536 to over 20,000 since the exercise began in February 2026.
He noted that this demonstrates the policy’s positive impact in formalizing businesses and improving urban management.
According to the statement, Mr. Kumumanya promised a follow‑up meeting in two weeks to report on progress following further consultations with stakeholders.
He also announced plans for nationwide sensitization campaigns and community barazas to help traders and the public better understand the policy.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Charles Magumba, Commissioner for Urban Administration; Jones Makula Mukasa, Commissioner from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives; and Winnie Atwine, Presidential Advisor on Markets.
The dialogue reflects the government’s commitment to balancing urban order with support for traders, ensuring that the Trade Order achieves its objectives without undermining livelihoods.