During their routine operations, the officials arrest vendors and hawkers selling merchandise on the streets of Kampala. They also confiscate vendors' and hawkers' merchandise and inturn solicit for bribes before they can return the items to the owners.
Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA law enforcement officers are on the spot
for extorting money from hawkers in exchange for their confiscated merchandise.
The officers often arrest vendors and hawkers found illegally selling merchandise
on the streets of Kampala. They also confiscate their merchandise and in turn solicit
bribes before they can return the items to the vendors.
Mugisha, a hawker dealing in soft drinks says that the KCCA law
enforcement officers have confiscated his merchandise several times and asked
for bribes.
Mugisha says he pleaded with the officers to return his
merchandise but in vain. Instead, they asked for 10,000 Shillings which he could not afford.
//Cue in: "Ye bwakugamba...
Cue out: ...mwenna nemufiirwa"//
Another vendor who deals in Silverfish and vegetables says the
KCCA law enforcement officials have made it a habit to solicit bribes. She says when KCCA officials confiscate
vegetables, fruits or drinks, they usually demand 5,000 Shillings.
//Cue in: "Ezo enkumi ettaano...
Cue out: ...baleeta Emmotoka"//
Another vendor identified only as Katumba says that chances
are slim for the officers to return their merchandise without asking for a
bribe. He adds that the chances of recovering the
merchandise after it has been taken to KCCA's central store at the Nakawa
Division offices is next to none.
"If you miss getting your things before they leave, or at the
offices in town and they end up taking them to Nakawa, there is less chance
that you'll get them back. Instead of Shillings 50,000, you'll end up paying at
least Shillings 200,000" explained Katumba.
When the merchandise is confiscated, it is first taken to KCCA
offices in the New Taxi Park or the Kampala Central Division offices at William
Street. At the New Taxi Park offices, URN reporter saw more than 10 impounded
motorcycles. Owners of the motorcycles were seen negotiating with the
enforcement officers to have the motorcycles returns.
Ismail Mubiru, the Chairman Fuba Tukola Hawkers and Vendors
Association Limited, says KCCA
needs to expedite the Street Vendors and Hawkers Ordinance.
The ordinance proposed in 2019 introduces a license to be paid by
street vendors and hawkers and defines their areas of operation. According to Mubiru,
the ordinance will bring to an end running battles between the hawkers and the
enforcement officers.
//Cue in: "Ffe teateeka KCCA..
Cue out: ...Okuwa omusolo"//
According to section 13 of the Kampala City Council Maintenance Ordinance 2006,
it is illegal for a person to ply his or her trade on any pavement, arcade,
foot-way, street, unoccupied land or land in the
possession of the Council without a permit.
The ordinance provides for a fine not exceeding two
currency points (Shillings 40,000) or imprisonment not exceeding two months or
both.
