Mbale City Council has entered day two of enforcing the Trade Order Management initiative aimed at restoring order among street vendors in the city.
Vendors operating outside Mbale Central Market woke up in tears as city authorities demolished their makeshift kiosks.
Geoffrey Mugisha, the Town Clerk of Mbale Industrial City Division, who is heading the operation, assured the media during an early morning briefing that starting, March 3, 2026, no vehicle will be allowed to park and sell commodities, and no vendor will be permitted to operate outside Mbale Central Market.
He noted that there are traders inside the market who pay council dues but do not get customers, yet those with lock-ups are expected to operate from inside the market.
Mugisha added that street vendors should change their mindset and believe that customers will look for them if they operate from within the market. Authorities say vendors had blocked pedestrian walkways, causing congestion in the city.
