By Lazaro Apunyo
As time ticks to the last day of a two-week ultimatum to clear vendors from the streets of Moroto Municipality, a tense line between survival and order has been drawn.
On March 6, 2026, the Moroto Municipality Town Clerk Richard Eyaru issued a two-week ultimatum, directing vendors selling outside the gazetted markets and kiosks owners to voluntarily dismantle their structures and relocate to the Moroto Central Market, which has over 1,000 vacant stalls.
Eyaru in his notice, copied to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Municipality Mayor, Division LCIII Chairpersons and Division Assistant Town Clerks, said the move aims to restore order, improve public safety, and promote clean, organised and livable Municipality.
He warned that those who will defy the directive shall face forceful eviction starting on Monday, March 23, 2026, stating that street vending is not recognized under the existing legal framework and therefore operates outside the law.
Vendors’ Reaction
However, some of the vendors are opposed to the move, stating that it will affect thousands of vendors who have built their livelihoods on pavements and crossroad corners.
The vendors argue that they don’t have money to meet stall rental fees within the central market, noting that market authorities require new entrants to pay three months’ rent in advance before starting business operations.
Rose Apolot, a restaurant operator, who started her business three months ago, pleads to the Municipal authorities to find other alternative areas to relocate them.
Christine Amongin, another dealer in roasted chicken, argued that relocating them to the central market wouldn’t favor them because of restrictive hours and lack of space in the market.
“We commence business in the evening around 6:00 p.m. and close at midnight. Relocating me to the central market is, therefore, an indirect means of depriving me of my livelihood,” Amongin lamented.
Eddy Muhwana, a chapatti vendor, has accused Moroto Municipal Council authorities of issuing the eviction notice without consulting with them to hear their opinions on the matter.
Visibly angry, Muhwana questioned how educated municipal officers who are more conversant with the law could ambush vendors with eviction orders without engaging them in dialogue to explore opportunities for a smooth transition.
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Municipal Council Response
Richard Eyaru, the Moroto Municipality Town Clerk clarified that the vendors interested in owning stalls in the central market, will be given a one-month grace period before they can start paying monthly rental fees to the Municipal Council.
“We have two categories of vendors. Those who submit a formal request to our office for space, having identified a specific lockup, are required to remit payment prior to allocation. However, the vendors who are to be relocated from the streets starting March 23, 2026, will be granted a one-month grace period for payment to allow their customers to know new locations,” Eyaru explained.
He observed that operations to evict street vendors follows the Ministry of Local Governments’ directive to local authorities nationwide to enforce licensing laws and remove illegal trading from public spaces, as urban centres continue to face rising unregulated commerce.
Eyaru added that “The operation is not meant to push vendors out of business but to ensure that business activities are conducted in gazetted areas with proper facilities and management structures and boost revenue mobilization in urban councils”.
According to Eyaru, businesses operating outside designated areas had contributed to sharp decline in revenue collections with the Municipal Council losing over Shs10 million monthly.
Eyaru stated that projected revenue collection is Shs15 million per financial year; however, the municipality has never collected Shs5 million, which hinders the implementation of planned services.
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