The Police at CPS Kampala is holding 14 KCCA Councilors for marching with placards in downtown Kampala to inspect three roads they resolved to allocate to street vendors.

The Councilors mainly from the National Unity Platform were clad in white T-Shirts with images of street vendors written on “Omutembeyi Ssimuyeekera” meaning ‘a Hawker isn’t a rebel’.

They marched on the streets with placards expressing their dissatisfaction at the manner in which street vendors are being evicted off the streets, However before they could reach their destination, a swam of police officers armed with clubs and fire guns arrived and engaged in running battles with the councilors before forcefully mugging them to the Central Police Station(CPS).

Among those arrested include the Speaker Zahara Luyirika, the Deputy Speaker Nasur Masaba, and councilors Faisal Kibirige, Gadhafi Nasur and Mushin Kakande.  Others are Winnie Nansubuga, Faisal Ssebayiga, Mosh Ssendi Afrikan, Paul Kato, Richard Sembatya, Rose Kigozi Nalubwama, Moses Kataabu, Fausta Bitaano, and the personal assistant to the speaker Aksam Ssemakula.

Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Oweyesigyire confirmed the arrest but revealed no charges have been preferred against the councilors.

Prior to their arrest, the councilors held a council meeting at the City Hall in which it was resolved to allow vendors to operate on three streets including Ssebana, Allen and Namirembe roads between 4:00 pm to 9:00 am daily. 

Lubaga South A Woman Councilor Farida Nakabugo moved a motion that councilors go downtown and inspect the roads where vendors shall resume operations immediately.  

The Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago said that the operations were illegal and the council needed to pronounce itself on the matter. He quoted section four of the local government (KCC) (Licensing of Trade Persons) Ordinance, explaining that vending isn’t illegal but rather, that street vendors should be given licenses by the council. 

Earlier in the day, Security at City Hall blocked a section of street vendors from presenting their petition to political leaders at KCCA. They were stopped at the second entry and forced out of the gate with security saying that they had received information that these were at the headquarters to protest.

Compiled by Minah Nalule