Gen Katumba Orders UNRA To Chase Away All Roadside Businesses

The minister of minister of works and transport Gen Edward Katumba Wamala has directed the National Roads Authority, Kampala Capital Authority,Chief Administrative Officers and Town clerks to prohibit and remove all business activities on the shoulders and sidewalks of public roads.

The minister noted that,there are many trading activities on the road sidewalks especially in Urban areas which has led to interference with movement of vehicles and pedestrians. He added that, enchroachment on the road carriageway is leading to increased incidencess of vehicle conflicts,traffic jams due to vehicles slowing down unnecessarily and clogging of drains due to poor waste management in road sectiions with trading activities.

In a circular addressed to all the abobve authorities, indicated that section 65(1)(e)of the Roads Act,2019, a person  who carries out a business activity on the shoulder, sidewalks or road reserves of a public road commits an offence an is liable on conction not exceeding on hundred sixty-eight currency points or imprisionment not exceeding seven years or both.

The minister has therefore ordered the authorities using their respective enforcement teams and traffic police to implement this directive.