The government is finalising plans to resettle more than 2,000 vendors operating at Kireka market near the railway line as part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) football tournament.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the government was aware of the vendors’ concerns and was looking for alternative land where they could continue their businesses.
Nabbanja made the remarks during an interaction with residents and vendors at Kyaliwajjala near UMEA Mosque on the second National Cleaning Day.
“The president is aware of your issue, and efforts are underway to resettle you somewhere else. I promise you that I will keep reminding him and delivering your concerns to President Museveni,” Nabbanja told the vendors.
She, however, said vendors operating within 10 metres of the railway line would have to leave to allow the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) to undertake planned works on the railway.
The eviction exercise was scheduled to start the following day, according to officials at the meeting.
Nabbanja said the railway would be refurbished and expanded to support transport to and from Namboole National Stadium during Afcon 2027, helping to reduce pressure on roads around the stadium.
She said she had consulted URC managing director Benon Kajuna about the matter and was satisfied that the railway would be important in managing transport during the tournament.
The vendors said they were worried about the planned evictions because their businesses were their main source of income and helped them support their families.
They also complained about poor working conditions, including inadequate drainage, which they said left the market prone to flooding during heavy rains.
They asked the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure that they were given an alternative place before they were removed from the railway reserve.
Wakiso Woman MP Betty Ethel Naluyima welcomed the government’s commitment to resettle the vendors and urged them to cooperate with authorities when the relocation process begins.
“I am very hopeful that Mama Nabbanja, as Prime Minister, will make a decisive decision on the matter,” Naluyima said.
Wakiso district chairman Ian Kyeyune said he had previously asked President Museveni to give the vendors more time when the Kampala Capital City Authority was carrying out evictions in the area.
He said he was concerned about delays in implementing the government’s resettlement plans.
Nabbanja donated Shs20m to the Kireka market vendors, while some women who participated in the cleaning exercise received Shs500,000 each as an incentive for keeping their communities clean.
She also donated a tuk-tuk garbage carrier to Namugongo Division in Kira Municipality.
Residents of Kyaliwajjala asked Nabbanja to support the construction of a farmers’ market, a seed secondary school and the tarmacking of Lukadde Road, which they said would improve transport in the area.
