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By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/KMA Updates.
Kampala, Uganda: Following months of suspension from operation in the City, Hawkers and vendors organized under Federation of Kampala Hawkers and Vendors Association have rolled out a masterplan on how to resume their operations in “Organized Smart City Hawking Program by KCCA”
Federation of Kampala Hawkers and Vendors Association members seen at their Offices attending the Press Conference this morning. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
The development has come days after Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka launched “Organized Smart City Hawking Program” with the Federation of Hawkers and Vendors Association under the theme: Trade Order! Smart City Oyee which took place at Old Taxi Park, Nakasero, Kampala-Uganda on Thursday this week.
While addressing them, Kisaka admitted that “The City is for us all (the rich, the poor, Boda Boda, taxi, hawkers and vendors among others) so we need to devise possible ways for all operators to do their work without infringing on others and if we are to attain SMART CITY status, we need to be organized”.
In this, Kisaka assured government’s commitment to secure places for hawkers and vendors to carry out their operations in harmony without disruptions from bad elements.
Lubega Richard the Chairperson of Federation of Kampala Hawkers and Vendors Association addresses Media at their Offices near New Taxi Park this morning. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
While addressing Media at their Offices, Lubega Richard the Chairperson of Federation of Kampala Hawkers and Vendors Association assured readiness of his members to kick start their operations following guidance of KCCA ED.
He said that they have already secured uniform for different members (Cream for Old Taxi Park and Purple for New Taxi Park), standby security representatives for every park, different committees like for Women and others.
Lubega told Press that they want to engage KCCA ED to allow them control Sunday market as it was in the past as this will help them make some reasonable sales and assured organization on streets if offered.
He informed that they have some land in Kalerwe that would facilitate members from Kawempe Division and in Kibuye for those from Makindye awaiting government to secure for them some other land to facilitate a number of other hawkers and vendors.
He added that they have some other land somewhere which totals to about 7 acres that they intend to establish a skilling center which will help equip their members since theyb cannot entirely depend on hawking.
“We shall create clusters in our operations (grouping traders according to what they sale to avoid disorganization) in addition to creating flairs/free markets in divisions of Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa, Rubaga and Kampala Central.
Lubega spit venom over opportunistic politicians who enjoy causing disruption in their operations by exercising selfish propaganda that in the end make them lose.
He warned that those who will dare infringe the new program in anyway, the federation will be on their case.
Zawedde Asiina the Secretary for Women Affairs at Federation of Kampala Hawkers and Vendors Association expressed the hardship women went through since suspension of their operations from the City.
Zawedde Asiina the Secretary for Women Affairs at Federation of Kampala Hawkers and Vendors Association speaks to Press at their Offices near New Taxi Park this morning. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“I have been receiving to a total of 10 cases of rape and pregnancy from our members since they were rendered helpless. To make matters worse, we had just gotten out of Covid-19 lockdown where everyone was struggling”. She noted.
“I want to tell you that we found untold challenges as women to uphold the welfare of our families since most of us here are single mothers with all responsibilities on our head but we’re now glad that KCCA ED Dorothy Kisaka endorsed our request to resume”. She added.
Zawedde called on fellow women to observe discipline as they resume operations saying, abusing and use of unbecoming words is not a solution, implored them to use their leadership at the federation to handle their matters.