Government Approves Continued Implementation of Trade Order to Restore Order in Urban Centres
KAMPALA, Uganda — The Government of Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring order in cities and municipalities across the country, following a Cabinet meeting held on 27th April 2026.
Cabinet agreed that the implementation of the Trade Order should continue as earlier planned, with the Ministry of Local Government now set to strengthen the policy through additional measures including community sensitization, the creation of an inter-ministerial task force, and the identification of alternative trading spaces for vendors who have not yet been relocated.
Background
On 10th March 2026, the Ministry of Local Government issued a circular to all Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks of Cities, and Municipalities, directing them to implement trade order restoration according to established guidelines.
Local governments were instructed to:
· Restore an orderly business environment by relocating traders from streets, walkways, pavements, verandas, back streets, and sanitary lanes into formal and designated trading spaces
· Remove all campaign posters displayed since the conclusion of elections
· Ensure proper food handling, including stopping the cooking and selling of food (including fruits) on sewer lanes and drainage channels
· Clean market places after every market day and ensure proper waste management and street lighting
· Enhance law enforcement, ensuring all trade is licensed and regulated under the Trade (Licensing) Act Cap 101
· Approve all development permission requests as prescribed in the Building Control Act and the Physical Planning Act
· Streamline public transport operations
· Develop and implement trade order strategies for each Local Government
Strengthened Policy Measures
Following Cabinet’s endorsement on 27th April, the Ministry announced it will introduce several new measures to bolster implementation:
· Community sensitisation to ensure public cooperation and understanding
· An inter-ministerial task force working with representatives of all stakeholders, including churches, vendors, and traders
· Solutions for reassignment of traders who have not yet found space in formal markets or designated trade areas
· Encouragement for Local Governments to establish weekly market days in convenient locations
Minister’s Appeal
Hon. Raphael Magyezi, Minister of Local Government, strongly advised all Ugandans to cooperate with local authorities.
“No trader is expected to go back to places that are not authorised for trade,” Hon. Magyezi stated. “Let us work together to contribute to this good cause of having towns and localities that are organised, clean, healthy, and safe for all of us to live in.”
The Ministry emphasised that while public order must be restored, the government is committed to protecting livelihoods.
“No Ugandan should earn a living in unsafe drainage channels, road reserves or congested walkways,” the Ministry said in a statement.
About The Author
