By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Government has suspended the implementation of Trade Order across the country with immediate effect.
This was announced by the State Minister for Trade, Hon. David Bahati during a Parliamentary sitting today, Friday, 24th April, 2025.
Bahati said government has suspended enforcement of the trade order following complaints from traders, religious leaders and the Inter-Religious Council.
Bahati was responding to concerns raised by Bukooli Central MP, Solomon Silwany who asked Parliament to allow him raise a matter on the new trade order being enforced in towns and cities, saying traders operating kiosks and other small businesses are suffering because government has not formally explained the plan to Parliament.
He said enforcement teams are abruptly removing kiosks and goods, and asked the Minister of Trade to explain how government intends to handle the affected traders.
Bahati said government had resolved to suspend the implementation until further notice adding that the decision has been taken to allow for further consultations to find ways of how best the Trade Order can be implemented without hurting ordinary citizens.
He intimated that the suspension may run up to July, 2nd 2026 giving enough time for all stakeholders to come up with an agreeable implementation order.
The implementation of the Trade Order has seen inhuman actions by some of the implementers that MPs called ‘goons.’
In a consultative meeting held on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026 between the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya and traders’ representatives led by the president of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA) John Kabanda, Kumumanya expressed concern over the inhuman actions of the implementers.
He condemned the inhumane methods used by some enforcement officers in some places such as forceful evictions, confiscation of goods, and demolition of business structures without proper notice to the owners, noting that such actions go against the intended purpose of the initiative. He stressed that enforcement must be carried out in a fair and a humane manner.
Mr. Kumumanya promised that there will be a follow-up meeting in two weeks’ time to communicate progress on the agreed position after more consultations with all stakeholders. He promised that nationwide sensitization campaigns and community barazas will be organized with traders across the country to help the public to understand the policy better.
Bahati’s revelation shows government’s response to these concerns. However, many MPs who were in the House requested for a formal communication from the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabanjja to the House and City/Town Clerks across the country.
The Trade Order was implemented following a directive by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government dated March,10, 2026 which reads as follows;
“As you are aware, Trade Order is grounded in the Trade (Licensing) Act Cap 101, which mandates any Person selling Goods or Services to possess a Valid Trading License and operate only from Designated Areas.
This is a Regulatory Framework designed to organize Commerce, ensure Public Safety, and enforce Licensing Compliance within a Local Government,” reads the statement.
‘However, over the past years, there has been an influx of People into the Urban Areas in search of Employment. Since these People may not be qualified for any Formal Employment and have no sufficient Capital for Formal Business, many of them have got involved in Illegal Street Vending and Hawking for lack of Sufficient Alternatives. These also stay in Slums and create Unplanned Settlements.
‘In spite of the existence of enabling Legislation on Development Control and Trade Order, Local Governments continue to experience Mushrooming Unplanned Developments which is getting out of Control.
‘Almost all Public Spaces are being taken up as Trade Premises thereby inhibiting Mobility in the Towns. Trading is now taking place along the Streets! Pavements, walkways, Verandahs, BackStreets, and Corridor Pavements.
