Government Extends Deadline for Eviction of Gayaza–Kayunga Road Traders

By Eric Yiga

A wave of excitement and relief swept through roadside traders along the Gayaza–Kayunga highway, particularly in Kalagi and Lugazi town, after the Ministry of Works and Transport granted them temporary permission to continue operating within road reserve areas.

The traders, who mainly operate in Kalagi Town, Kyampisi Sub-county in Mukono District, had recently protested eviction orders issued by the Ministry, arguing that they were being unfairly forced out without being allocated alternative working spaces.

Their reprieve followed a high-level meeting between the traders, Hon. Ronald Kibuule — former State Minister for Water and current NRM flag bearer for Mukono South — and officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, who visited the area to engage the local community.

Earlier, a directive signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bageya Waiswa, had ordered the removal of all structures built in drainage channels and along road shoulders. The September 9th circular identified several roads affected by illegal trading activities, including Gayaza–Kalagi, Busega–Bujuuko, Kawempe–Bombo, Nakawa–Kireka–Bweyogerere, and Nansana–Kakiri.

Local leaders, led by Mr. Sulaiman Lumu Musisi, the LC1 Chairperson of Kalagi, had informed traders that they had only three days to vacate the area or face forced eviction. The directive cited safety concerns such as flooding, road damage, and obstruction of drainage systems caused by unregulated roadside activities.

However, during Monday’s meeting, Hon. Kibuule announced that the government had stayed the eviction following an intervention by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

“The President directed that traders be given more time and that the planned demolition of their stalls be halted,” Kibuule revealed. “He also reaffirmed his earlier pledge to construct a modern market in this area to provide a safer and more organized trading environment.”

Kibuule further disclosed that the President had instructed the Ministry of Finance to increase Parish Development Model (PDM) funds from Shs 100 million to Shs 300 million per parish to boost household incomes.

“The President understands that Shs 100 million is inadequate, especially for highly populated parishes like Kyabakadde, which has over 7,000 registered voters. The increment will help more Ugandans access PDM benefits,” he said.

The announcement was met with applause from traders who had feared facing the same fate as their counterparts recently evicted from Bulenga in Wakiso District.

Rose Namubiru, one of the traders, expressed gratitude to the government for listening to their concerns.

“We had lost hope, but this visit has restored our confidence. We appreciate the President’s intervention and promise to support his programs moving forward,” Namubiru said.

Eng. Jacob Asiimwe, a Senior Engineer from the Ministry, and Mr. Stephen Nganda, the officer in charge of road reserves, cautioned traders against blocking drainage systems or encroaching further into the road reserve.

“We are not against traders earning a living, but we must ensure road safety and protect public infrastructure,” Eng. Asiimwe explained, adding that water channels must be reopened to prevent erosion and flooding during heavy rains.

Kibuule, who is seeking to reclaim his Mukono South parliamentary seat from incumbent MP Abdallah Kiwanuka (NUP), received a warm welcome from residents who pledged renewed support for the NRM in upcoming elections.

“We admit that in the last election we sidelined the NRM, but we now realize how much we’ve missed out,” one trader remarked amid cheers from the crowd.

The meeting ended on a hopeful note, with traders pledging to follow government safety and sanitation guidelines as they await the promised construction of a modern market in Kalagi.