Arua City Bans Food Vending

Arua Central Division authorities have issued a ban on street food vending as one of the measures to maintain sanitation in the city.

The vendors operate in the morning and evening hours along Onzivu Street, Rhino Camp, Iddi Amin road, hospital road near driver’s corner, industrial lane, and Smash roundabout area among others in the central division.

Isaac Mwanje, Arua central division Town clerk says that the ban aims to streamline the food vending business within the central business district. Mwanje says that they have already assigned law enforcement officers to effect the ban.

According to Mwanje vendors who defy the decision will be arrested and charged and under the Physical Planning Act 2020.

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Khemis Muzaidi the Mayor of Arua Central Division says that the ban is in good faith because it is only a preventive measure to protect the public from risks of sanitation-related diseases like cholera. He says that food vending has been a big problem for health authorities to control since the vendors lack good hygiene practices.

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However, some vendors have opposed the ban arguing that their business is the only source of income and livelihood for their families. Jane Amaniyo, a food vendor says that the ban has left them stuck without a business and worries about where she will get money to look to send her children back home.

Peace Shamira another food vendor wonders why the city authorities did not engage them before making the decision.

The Public Health Act CAP 281 section 104, prohibits open vending of foodstuffs, selling and cooking of food along streets /roads and in corridors.