Kampala is witnessing a visible shift in its urban trading landscape following a structured relocation exercise that targeted roadside and pavement trading across the five city divisions. The initiative, spearheaded by State Minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye in coordination with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), came after a two-week sensitisation campaign aimed at preparing informal traders for a transition into formal market spaces.

By the end of the sensitisation period, thousands of vendors, alongside some taxi drivers and boda-boda operators, had gradually vacated sidewalks, verandas, and roadsides that had long served as informal trading spots. Authorities emphasised that the exercise was not merely an enforcement action but part of a broader urban management strategy focused on easing congestion, improving sanitation, and reducing flood risks caused by blocked drainage channels.

A key component of the relocation plan was the provision of over 2,500 stalls in gazetted public markets, including Usafi and Wandegeya, specifically reserved to accommodate former street vendors on a first-come basis. This allocation was intended to offer continuity of livelihood while transitioning traders into more regulated and organised environments.

City officials argue that structured markets provide better waste management, improved accessibility, and a safer trading atmosphere compared to informal roadside setups. The move has also been welcomed by some formal businesses that had previously raised concerns over unfair competition from untaxed street trade and the growing disorder in central business areas.

However, the transition has not been without mixed reactions. Some traders, particularly long-time street vendors, remain cautious about the impact of relocation on daily earnings and their ability to meet household needs such as school fees. For many, roadside trading had provided direct customer access and flexible operating conditions that formal markets may not immediately replicate.

Despite these concerns, early observations indicate growing compliance with the directive and a steady uptake of the allocated stalls. Analysts note that the long-term success of the policy will depend on sustained enforcement, market accessibility, and continued support mechanisms that ensure relocated vendors can maintain stable incomes while adapting to formalised trading structures.