The newly elected Lord Mayor of Kampala City, Ronald Balimwezo, has emphasized the need for a guiding policy from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) before any evictions of street vendors and boda boda riders.
His statements come amid KCCA’s recent actions to remove vendors from city streets, citing the availability of approximately 2,500 stalls in the city’s markets.
Balimwezo expressed his disagreement with KCCA’s decision to displace vendors and boda boda riders without a clear relocation plan. He stated, “It is essential that KCCA first outlines where these individuals will operate from before proceeding with evictions.”
Upon taking office, Balimwezo vowed to advocate for a comprehensive policy to manage the removal of vendors and boda boda riders who operate illegally.
He suggested reallocating some funds from the Parish Development Model (PDM) to support the construction of new markets that can accommodate the increasing number of street vendors.
“It’s crucial that KCCA engages in a mindset shift among street vendors and boda boda riders, helping them understand the authority’s decisions and the rationale behind the removals,” he added.
Balimwezo’s approach aims to balance the needs of urban development with the livelihoods of those who depend on street vending and boda boda services in Kampala.
