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Minsitry of trade said that street vending is not recognized under the current legal framework and is therefore illegal
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The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives has defended Government’s decision to evict vendors from the streets of Kampala, arguing that street vending is not recognized under the current legal framework and is therefore illegal. The ministry’s position was presented by Zackey Kalega, Commissioner for Internal Trade, during a meeting with Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee of Parliament of Uganda convened to consider findings in the 2025 Auditor General’s report. Kalega was responding to a question raised by Patrick Nsamba, MP for Kassanda North, who sought clarification on whether the evicted vendors could report to the ministry for allocation of alternative working space.
Zackey Kalega, Commissioner for Internal Trade
Kalega told the committee that while discussions are ongoing to find solutions for the affected vendors, operating on the streets is not provided for under the law. He explained that the Trade Licensing Act does not recognize street vendors as a legal category of traders.
“You are either a trader operating from a shop or a hawker, and even a hawker is required to operate within a certain distance from a trading centre,” Kalega said, emphasizing that street vending falls outside the provisions of the Act.
City Vendors along Kampala Streets
He added that Government is working closely with local governments and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to explore alternative arrangements, including the possible revival of structured weekly markets within designated areas of the city.
According to Kalega, previous Sunday markets managed by KCCA are being reviewed as part of efforts to create regulated spaces where former street vendors can operate legally. He acknowledged that identifying sufficient space within the city remains a challenge but reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that affected individuals are supported within the confines of the law.
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