Tension and distress gripped parts of Mukono Municipality on Wednesday following a forceful operation by authorities to enforce trade order regulations, leaving several traders counting heavy losses.
The operation, which began at approximately 5:00 a.m. in Kavule village, extended to Total Village, Mulyanti Road, Nasuuti, Wantoni, and surrounding areas. It involved law enforcement officers supported by the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People's Defence Forces, who oversaw the demolition of makeshift structures and the forced entry into business premises.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as traders scrambled to save their merchandise. Some reportedly broke down in tears, while others fainted due to the shock and scale of destruction.
"I have lost everything," said Harriet Nansubuga, a phone repair technician whose shop along Nasuuti Street was demolished. "There was no prior marking on my structure, yet it was brought down. I had taken a loan of Shs10 million to grow my business. Now I don't know how I will recover."
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Many affected traders say they are now unable to repay bank loans and funds obtained under government livelihood programs, raising fears of widespread defaults.
Mukono Town Clerk Francis Byabagambi maintained that the exercise followed earlier directives ordering vendors to vacate roadside trading spaces. He said the enforcement is part of a broader plan to restore order and relocate informal traders to designated markets.
However, traders argue that the notice period was too short and that no viable alternative locations were provided.
"We were told to leave, but where were we supposed to go?" one trader questioned. "We had no time to prepare or move our goods."
The operation has also sparked divisions among local leaders. John Bosco supported the move as necessary for urban order, stating that traders were given enough time to relocate their businesses.
Meanwhile, Mukono NRM spokesperson Hakim Kyeswa argued that demolishing properties not situated on designated road reserves is illegal and should be challenged through the courts.
A group of youths from the Beghazi ghetto at Wantoni trading centre has since announced plans to take legal action against municipal authorities, alleging that their properties were destroyed despite being located off the roadside.
By press time, enforcement activities were still ongoing in parts of the municipality, with some traders hurriedly evacuating their goods to avoid further losses.
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