The return of roadside vendors on streets in Hoima town has irked
residents.
The vendors dealing in second-hand clothes, shoes and food are currently
operating on the newly constructed Hoima USMID roads that were recently commissioned
by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. They are visible on Bunyoro
Kitara, Republic, Wright and Percy roads. They operate both during the day and
night hours.
Hoima Municipality evicted the vendors last year in an attempt to create order
in the town.
Some of them have placed their businesses on walkways, in front of shops and
green belts.
Grace Kyaligonza, a businesswoman along Bunyoro Kitara road says they are
unhappy with some of the vendors who have blocked their business premises. She
says some of the roadside vendors sell similar products with them and therefore
blocking their customers.
Tadeo Isingoma, another businessman in Hoima town wonders why the municipality,
which used a lot of resources to evict the roadside vendors, is just looking on
as they cause confusion and congestion.
Vincent Mujuni a resident of Kiryetete a Hoima town suburb says the return of
the roadside vendors in the central business area is a clear demonstration of
lack of seriousness on the municipal leadership. He says some of the vendors
could be conniving with the municipal officials to freely operate on the
streets.
One of the vendors who spoke to Uganda Radio Network on condition
of anonymity says they are being licensed by the Municipal Authorities to
operate their businesses by the roadside.
She says every evening they pay 1,000 to operate by the roadside.
Iddi Magezi, the councillor
representing Bwikya ward in Mparo division says some of the municipal officials
must be investigated for allowing the roadside vendors operate freely.
He says it is illegal for such vendors to operate by the roadside yet there is
a gazetted venue for vendors selling second-hand clothes.
//cue in:”Nkubanza Kusiima Enkurakurana…
Cue out:…mutuka baba tomere.:”//.
David Kyasanku, the Hoima Municipal town clerk says the vendors are operating
illegally.
He says they are soon going to crack down an operation to ensure
that the vendors are chased away from operating on the streets.
//Cue in:” They are doing…
Cue out…come in Hoima.:”//.
He adds that nobody has been contracted to collect revenue from
the vendors.
