Kampala Traders Voice Flooding, Rent Woes to KCCA

Kampala traders have voiced significant grievances to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), highlighting challenges that are hindering their businesses. During a recent meeting at Kitante Primary School, representatives from the trading community brought forward issues such as recurrent flooding, high rental costs, poor city planning, and the disruptive practice of taxis parking on city streets.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki acknowledged the importance of traders to Kampala’s economy, which contributes over 60% of Uganda’s revenue. She assured that KCCA would collaborate with traders to tackle these problems. Regarding flood compensation, Ms. Buzeki stated that the Prime Minister’s office is managing the process, with payments to be disbursed directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. However, traders expressed that some affected businesses are still awaiting these payments and called for a review of the beneficiary list.

Edward Ntale, chairman of the United Arcaders Traders Entrepreneurs Association, pointed to inadequate planning as a major contributor to flooding and urged for stricter adherence to official building plans. He also criticized taxi operators for obstructing shop access by parking on streets, despite the availability of designated parks.

Traders also sought designated spaces for Sunday and evening markets to accommodate vendors displaced by enforcement actions. Thaddeus Musoke, chairman of the National Entrepreneurs and Traders Association, emphasized the need for alternative locations for vendors previously operating on verandas and doorways.

KCCA reiterated its policy that vendors must operate within designated markets. Ms. Buzeki announced that 550 market spaces are currently available in government markets such as Wandegeya, Rusafi, Nakawa, and Luzira, encouraging vendors to utilize these vacancies. Concerns about high rents were also raised, with traders requesting permission for limited use of space outside their shops to ease financial burdens.

On the proposed redevelopment of City Square, traders expressed a desire for it to remain a green space. Ms. Buzeki clarified that no decision has been made regarding its handover to investors and that a proposal is under review, requiring consultation with KCCA before presidential consideration.

Regarding delayed construction projects, KCCA Director of Physical Planning Vincent Byendayimira noted that the meeting was a follow-up on previous discussions. Ms. Buzeki mentioned that KCCA has increased oversight of construction, encouraging contractors to work at night to minimize disruption to businesses, citing ongoing night works on key city roads.