The Kabale Municipality Town Clerk, Kassajja Jamiilu Kaiiru, and the Municipality Mayor, Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha, have clashed over the removal of street vendors ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign visit to the Kigezi region.
President Museveni, who is the flag bearer of the National Resistance Movement-NRM party, is expected to visit Kigezi on November 24, 2025.
Speaking during the Kabale Municipality budget conference for the 2026/2027 financial year held on Wednesday at the municipal offices, Kassajja directed that all street vendors be removed from the town by November 20.
Kassajja argued that the presence of vendors posed a security threat to the President during his campaign. He also noted that vendors contribute to garbage littering in the town, saying he would not allow the President to find Kabale in an untidy state.
Kassajja further criticized the vendors for operating without licenses, despite earning substantial income, while licensed shop owners struggle to attract customers.
CUE IN KASSAJJA….ON VENDORS… RR//
However, his remarks did not sit well with Mayor Sentaro, who immediately opposed the directive. Taking the microphone, Sentaro said that street vendors are supporters of President Museveni, and removing them could cause resentment and affect the President’s support in the forthcoming elections.
Sentaro added that the vendors have been working closely with the Municipal Council under established guidelines to ensure order and cleanliness in the town.
CUE IN SENTARO ON VENDORS… RR//
The Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Micheal Kyakashari, also backed the mayor’s stance, arguing that the vendors should not be evicted, but council should only restore trade order.
CUE IN KYAKASHARI…..ON VENDORS… RR//
