PHOTO: MP Kawalya speaking at a function recently
BY MARY NAKASI
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
HON. ABUBAKER Kawalya, the Shadow minister in charge of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), also Member of Parliament for Rubaga North Constituency has today Tuesday January 4, 2022 written to his counterpart Minister Minsa Kabanda requesting her to stop the on-going eviction of street vendors saying these operations are not supported by any law.
He says, KCCA directive to evict street vendors is, “Rudimentary, cruel and not backed by any Law.” KCCA Enforcement team is carrying out operation against street vendors and many have been forcefully evicted, some arrested and manchandise confiscated.
In a letter copied to Lord Mayor Ssalongo Erias Lukwago, Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, Authority Council Speaker KCCA Zahara Luyulika and all Authority Councilors, MP Kawalya who is the former Speaker KCCA has said, “I take strong exception of the exercise because their is no Law, Ordinance or by-law that makes street trading illegal in Kampala.”
We are reliably informed, street vendors petitioned KCCA Shadow minister Kawalya on the conduct of the KCCA Enforcement Team who have directives to flush-out them, arrest and confiscate their merchandise.
It’s on this ground that Hon. Kawalya has written to The minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Hajjat Minsa Kabanda asking her to reverse the on-going operations to evict Kampala street traders.
Hon. Kawalya has told minister Kabanda that, as a stakeholder by virtue of being one of the Kampala Legislators and also, the Shadow Minister for Kampala, he disagrees with the operations because they are illegal, KCCA must be guided in its day to day business.
He guided that, what would be emphasized is possession of a permit by these street traders which KCCA has surprisingly failed to give.
“Emphasis should be put on the rationale behind KCCA failing to put in place a mechanism that could at least help Street traders acquire permits, yet they (Street traders) are willing to comply and put money in State coffers.” Revealed Former KCCA Speaker Abubaker Kawalya, adding that, “I am of a view that this is the civil way of handling the matter and when implemented, can create harmony and spur great economic activity through creating employment.”
Minister Kawalya quoted Section 7 (c) of the KCC Act (as amended) saying, the Authority is responsible for promoting economic development in the Capital City.
“The purpose of this letter therefore is to kindly request you to reverse the directive because it’s illegal and greatly affects our people” Writes National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator.
Kawalya, since his days as lord councilor representing the people of Rubaga North at KCCA has been very vocal about issues affecting Kampala people. Political analysts say, this is why he managed to beat Doreen Nyanjura in a very hot race for KCCA Speaker and when it came to the Rubaga North MP race in January 2021, it was a walk-over for this youthful politician.
Kawalya humiliated the then incumbent Moses Kasibante and then KCCA Minister Beti Olive Namisango Kamya.
He massively won at almost all polling stations and was among the first winners to be declared by the Electoral Commission.
The down to earth MP organised a mega party to thank Rubaga North voters for entrusting him with their votes. Hundreds of Rubaga North people ate and drunk for almost two days.
During the lock down where hundreds of families were starving, a generous Kawalya donated food to almost all families in Rubaga North.
He donated food and cement to Namirembe Diocese which was received by Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira.
A few months ago, MP Kawalya hosted a team of 20 members of Parliament in Rubaga North led by Hon. David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga (Busujju County) and they donated building materials to Anglican and Catholic Churches, plus cash to market vendors.
In Kampala, Hon. Kawalya is regarded as one of the most hardworking and irreplaceable Members of Parliament. No wonder, he has stepped in to stop eviction of Street vendors.
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