The animosity between Kampala Lord, Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kampala Affairs minister, Beti Olive Kamya over management of Kampala city has reached new heights.
A new war is brewing after Mayor Lukwago called ‘illegal’ the forceful eviction of vendors off the streets by Hon. Kamya so as to decongest the city.
On Wednesday, the government through Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) fuelled by pressure from Kampala traders group, KACITA ordered vendors to vacate city streets.
And Mayor Lukwago addressing the press on Thursday said criminalising street vending is illegal before adding that Hon. Kamya’s decision to evict them should be halted until they have agreed.
“We shall have a special council meeting on Monday to discuss the issue of street vendors,” Lukwago said.
“Criminalizing street vending is illegal and it is us (KCCA) as an institution who failed to operationalize the laws on vendors that we passed,” he added.
Kamya a few days ago blamed the influx of street vendors in the city on some Kampala politicians, whom she said back vendors on operating from the city streets an allegation Mayor Lukwago rubbished.
Mr Lukwago accuses her of plotting to usurp his power as the lord mayor by officiating at city functions, which is supposed to be done by the lord mayor.
“The minister should respect the electorates and stop transact business from the government Media Centre. Her position is subject for debate and her decision must be halted until we have all agreed,” Lukwago fired back before adding that Hon. Kamya was no different from his nemesis, former Kampala Minister Frank Tumwebaze who he alleges kept him out of his mayoral office for years.
According to Kamya, KCCA has so far registered about 1,800 vendors but most of them are not from Kampala.
“They came from different parts of the country to conduct business in the city and as a result KCCA used to collect Shs87 billion in taxes before the vendors flooded the streets now gets far less than Shs50 billion,” Kamya said last week.
Mayor Lukwago also said KACITA was engaging in a war they can’t win.
“Trade order should not presuppose the less privileged.
