By Robert Onyango
The government has clarified that enforcement of the trade order will continue across the country, following concerns that had earlier led to reports of a suspension.
Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, Minister of Local Government Raphael Magyezi said Cabinet resolved that the implementation of the trade order should proceed as planned, with adjustments to strengthen its rollout.
The trade order directive, issued on March 10, 2026, requires local governments to restore order in urban areas by relocating traders operating on streets, pavements, verandas and other undesignated spaces into formal, designated markets.
The guidelines also direct authorities to remove campaign posters, enforce proper food handling, and stop the sale and preparation of food along drainage channels and sewer lines.
Local governments are further required to ensure regular cleaning of markets, improve waste management, enhance street lighting, and enforce licensing of all businesses in line with the Trade Licensing Act.
They are also expected to ensure that all development approvals comply with the Building Control Act and the Physical Planning Act to support orderly urban growth, while streamlining public transport operations.
To strengthen implementation, the ministry says it will step up community sensitisation, establish an inter-ministerial task force to work with key stakeholders, and identify alternative trading spaces for vendors not yet accommodated in formal markets.
Local authorities have also been encouraged to introduce structured weekly market days in convenient locations.
Magyezi urged the public to cooperate with local authorities, stressing that traders should operate only in authorised areas as government moves to create organised, clean and safe towns.
