The government has approved the implementation of the Trade Order, following a Cabinet sitting held on 27th, reaffirming its commitment to promoting orderly, structured, sustainable trade across Uganda.
Ugandans talked to by this publication have welcomed the move but also asked strict controls over noise pullution by born again chiucrhes across the country .
Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi said while these enforcement operations had been halted to allow for consultations, cabinet has made a decision that the implementation of the trade order directives should continue .
“Cabinet sitting yesterday agreed and resolved that the implementation of the trade order should continue as earlier planned.“Cabinet has decided that trade order enforcement continues.” Magyezi stressed.
The minister said there was halting of the enforcement after pentecostal and born-again churches as well traders’ associations petitioned government seeking for more time to prepare themselves.
Magyezi said his ministry is going to step up community sensitization to ensure everyone is on boardthe trade order enforcement will ensure relocation of traders to formal and designated trading spaces, especially those on streets, walkways, verandas, back streets and corridors.
The mnister said that all local government administrative officers have been asked to ensure trade is only from gazetted areas, proper food handling by stopping sell and cooking of food and fruits on top of sewer lines and other unhygienic places.
“People needed to be informed and we shall step it up. We appeal to local authorities to improve on communication. We shall step up task force in the ministry to work with representatives of all stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of trade order,” he said.
The Minister for Kampala, Hajjati Minsa Kabanda said this applies also applies to the country’s capital.
“Cabinet agreed that trade order is non-negotiable. Kampala is the face of the country and progress made cant be reversed otherwise, we will have lost the gains. Therefore, enforcement will continue without interruption,” she added.
