The Kampala Resident City Commissioner, Hudu Hussein has dismissed claims that he is working with informal groups to rid the City Center of street vendors.
For the past two weeks an errant group of youths code named ‘Smart City ‘has been witnessed attacking and flogging street vendors off the streets using heavy sticks.
The groups clad in black T-Shirts and light green reflector jackets with the inscription “Smart City”, were reportedly moving alongside KCCA law enforcement officers and Police.
The RCC while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Center on Wednesday says much as the group has good intentions to bring order back to the City,he has never engaged with it and it does not qualify to be part of the formal groups to enforce such operations.
Hudu says he is working with Kampala Capital City Authority enforcement officers and other recognized security organs to enforce the directives.
“They are yet to establish who is behind the group,security work is a preserve of the central government and done by professional bodies like police ,UPDF among others. My team and I are working with formal groups and not groups whose level of training and professionalism are questionable,” he said
Meanwhile, Hudu has given street vendors and hawkers another ultimatum of one week until January 16, 2022 to either vacate or face arrest.
“Whether by consent or force,I appreciate the hawkers and street vendors who have moved to the designated markets. My hope is that no force should be used. Therefore, I appeal to the rest to leave within five days from today,”he says
Last year, the RCC issued a two weeks ultimatum, up to January 10 ,2 022,for vendors to vacate the streets but it has not been effective. Hudu says that they are avoiding using force, which explains the repeated deadline extension.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
