Mbale vendor evictions sparked tension on Monday morning when city enforcement teams moved through major streets with a grader, clearing roadside traders and dismantling makeshift stalls. Police and army officers supported the operation as authorities pushed to restore order in Mbale City. Thick dust rose into the air while officers pulled down temporary structures along Naboa Road, Lorry Park, and North Road.
City leaders launched the operation after issuing a five-day ultimatum last week. They directed all vendors trading on streets and ungazetted areas to relocate to gazetted markets and parks. Officials also ordered transport operators to leave road reserves and conduct business only from designated areas. Leaders say they want to decongest streets, improve sanitation, and strengthen security in the central business district.
As Mbale vendor evictions unfolded, traders reacted with anger and fear. Many depend on daily street sales to feed their families and pay rent. Enforcement officers removed goods quickly, forcing vendors to scramble and save what they could. Several traders said the city rushed the exercise without preparing proper alternatives.
Mr Ayub Wambede, a fruit vendor behind Republic Street, questioned how he would repay his loan under the Parish Development Model after losing his trading space. He recently received Shs1 million, which he invested directly into his business. Now he worries about reduced sales. He argued that authorities should have allocated visible stalls before removing vendors from the streets. He also questioned how he would attract customers if officials placed him in upper sections of Mbale Central Market.
Ms Agnes Nandutu, a single mother in her twenties, has sold vegetables along Kumi Road for five years. She said her customers know her exact roadside location. Moving into the market, she fears, could cut her daily income sharply. She described the enforcement as harsh and poorly timed, especially as many parents prepare to pay school fees.
Ms Asiraf Naubuga urged city leaders to allow vendors to operate at night when most shops close. She stressed that many young people survive through street vending. Without alternatives, she warned, some youths could drift toward crime or drug abuse. Hajjat Fatuma echoed those concerns. She appealed for intervention and asked authorities to organize market spaces first before forcing vendors to relocate.
City officials defended Mbale vendor evictions and insisted they acted within the law. Geoffrey Mugisha, Town Clerk for the Industrial City Division, said Mbale Central Market has more than 1,000 empty stalls. He argued that vendors occupied pedestrian corridors and blocked walkways meant for public use. According to him, the council issued repeated warnings before enforcement began.
Mbale City Clerk Assy Abirebe explained that the operation also targets transport disorder. He said passenger vehicles and lorries must operate strictly from gazetted parks. In April 2025, the city relocated trucks from Cathedral Avenue to Mpumude playground. However, many operators later returned to their former spots. Authorities also redirected taxis from Pallisa, Tororo, and Kumi roads to official parks, but some resumed roadside operations. Abirebe said the city has now gazetted specific areas for boda boda riders and installed signposts after consulting their leaders.
Security officials supported the crackdown. Hamza Banja, Deputy Resident City Commissioner for the Industrial City Division, linked congestion to rising petty crime. He said criminals hide in crowded trading zones and snatch phones in busy areas. He pledged security support to ensure vendors comply with the directive. Leaders argue that organized markets will improve both safety and urban order.
Despite official explanations, some residents question enforcement integrity. They allege that certain officers collect money from vendors, which allows them to return after earlier evictions. Mr Hakim Watenyeri, a senior citizen in Mbale City, said this cycle has repeated itself many times. He blamed weak enforcement and corruption for the continued street congestion. Unless authorities address these allegations, he warned, Mbale vendor evictions may not produce lasting change.
The economic stakes remain high. Street vending forms a key pillar of Uganda’s informal economy. Many urban families rely on daily profits from roadside trade. When officials remove vendors abruptly, households lose income immediately. Market relocation may offer structure, but traders fear reduced visibility and fewer customers. Foot traffic often determines daily survival for small-scale vendors.
Urban growth in Mbale has accelerated in recent years. As the city expands, authorities face pressure to balance development with livelihood protection. They must design relocation plans carefully and communicate clearly. Transparent stall allocation and improved market accessibility could ease tensions. Without these measures, displaced traders may attempt to return to the streets.
The debate over Mbale vendor evictions reflects a broader national challenge. Cities seek order, but informal traders seek survival. Authorities now carry the responsibility to enforce rules fairly and consistently. Vendors, meanwhile, hope leaders will combine discipline with practical solutions. The coming weeks will show whether this crackdown reshapes urban trade permanently or repeats a familiar cycle of eviction and return.
