There was a scuffle between security and Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA councillors at City Hall Thursday morning where street vendors had gone to present a petition following their eviction.
More than ten street vendors led by Asaph Nahurira, the chairperson of Uganda Street Vendors Association stormed KCCA with a petition they wanted to present to the Lord Mayor and the Speaker of the house.
The vendors went through the main gate but were blocked at the entrance of the main building which leads to KCCA offices. There are usually two private security guards at this second entrance but when the vendors arrived, two police officers intervened and asked them to leave.
They escorted them to the main get with the vendors explaining that they had only come to present their petition in vain. As they approached the gate, numerous councillors from the National Unity Platform-NUP came to their rescue exchanging words with the police. At this point, more police personnel deployed to beef the private security guard and Counter-Terrorism Police that usually guards at the gate.
The police finally succeeded at keeping the vendors out of KCCA premises. Nahurira said they were not at the KCCA headquarters to protest but rather to present a petition to the political leaders. In the petition, he says, they want KCCA Council to pass a resolution to allow vendors to operate on Ssebana and Namirembe roads from 4 pm to 9 am.
Salome Ssebina, Lubaga North councillor was one of the councillors who attempted to save the street vendors from being prevented from accessing the headquarters in vain. She says that it was unfortunate that the vendors were blocked from presenting their petition.
No one was arrested or injured during the scuffle. Last month, KCCA intensified operations against street vendors and hawkers in Kampala. Several vendors have now found a home at other markets including Usafi and Segawa market while some still play hide and seek with the authorities enforcing order in the City.
The KCCA operation is implemented under the smart city campaign intended to decongest the City and create order.
