Rukungiri Municipality Gives Street Vendors Two-Week Ultimatum to Vacate

Authorities in Rukungiri Municipality have given street vendors along High Street two weeks to vacate the area or face enforcement action, a directive aimed at restoring order and improving sanitation in the town.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Town Clerk Isaiah Tumwesigye during a meeting with vendors at municipal offices. 

Tumwesigye stated that, effective two weeks from March 2, 2026, no street vending will be allowed along High Street during daytime hours, though night vending from 5:00 pm onwards will remain permitted. He emphasized that the move targets illegal structures along the main street and prohibits shop owners from displaying goods outside their premises. 

The directive aligns with a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives to remove vendors from roadsides to improve sanitation, reduce accidents, and enhance tax collection. Municipal Health Inspector Eva Asiimwe supported the measure, highlighting poor sanitation among street vendors as a key concern. 

She urged those continuing night operations to maintain hygiene standards, avoid dumping waste in drainage channels or on roads, and use public toilets. However, several vendors expressed dissatisfaction with the council’s decision. Sari Muhammad, Osbert Nasasira, and Esther Babura argued that street vending is their main source of income, allowing them to afford basic needs, including food, shelter, and school fees. The municipality has assured that enforcement action will follow if vendors fail to comply within the two-week deadline.