Abonga noted that the kiosks are contributing to congestion and undermining efforts to maintain a clean, orderly, and planned urban business environment. He added that the municipality currently lacks a designated space to establish a container village, which complicates efforts to manage the situation effectively.
The Kitgum Municipal Council has announced plans to take decisive action against unregulated kiosks and containers that have re-emerged within the Central Business District (CBD). According to Engineer Abonga Alexis, the Municipal Engineer, the proliferation of these kiosks, particularly along Ogwok Road and Pager Crescent Road, has become a growing concern for the authorities.
Abonga noted that the kiosks are contributing to congestion and undermining efforts to maintain a clean, orderly, and planned urban business environment. He added that the municipality currently lacks a designated space to establish a container village, which complicates efforts to manage the situation effectively.
In response, the Municipal Standing Committee has been discussing possible solutions, including the relocation of the kiosks to a more appropriate site. The Physical Planning Committee has been tasked with overseeing the relocation process to ensure fairness and transparency. Abonga revealed that enforcement of the relocation plan will begin soon, and the search for a suitable location for the kiosks is ongoing.
However, the plan has met resistance from some kiosk operators. Moses Oroma, one of the vendors, expressed doubt over the viability of the initiative, recalling that past efforts by the former Kitgum Town Council between 2006 and 2010 to relocate kiosks had failed.
“Between 2006 and 2010, several attempts were made by the then Kitgum Town Council to reallocate kiosks from the CBD, but they didn’t materialize,” Oroma said. “What approach will the municipality employ this time around to make it sustainable?”
Oroma’s concerns reflect the broader challenges the municipality may face in executing the plan. The success of the relocation initiative will depend largely on the ability of municipal authorities to engage kiosk owners and develop a solution that balances regulation with livelihood needs.
Despite potential inconveniences to some vendors, Abonga maintained that the relocation is aimed at creating a more organized and conducive business environment for both traders and customers. The establishment of a designated kiosk area is expected to streamline operations and improve the overall business experience in Kitgum's CBD.
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Opoka Denis
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