A long-running leadership standoff in Mubende Municipality has finally been brought to a halt after Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara stepped in and issued decisive directives aimed at restoring order in the town. The minister ordered all roadside traders to relocate to designated market spaces and instructed taxi operators to stop loading and offloading passengers outside officially gazetted stages.
The dispute, which had dragged on for months, pitted municipal authorities against district leaders over the enforcement of urban management regulations. At the heart of the disagreement was the municipality’s push to remove roadside vendors and compel traders to occupy the government-constructed market, a move that faced resistance from some leaders and sections of the business community.
During his visit to Mubende, Balaam first met traders operating around Simmons Food Mat, where several vendors voiced concerns about the manner in which enforcement had been carried out. They argued that while they supported government programs, authorities should provide adequate time and fair conditions for traders to transition into the new arrangements.
The discussions were later joined by Mubende District Chairperson Michael Ntambi, who has been a central figure in the controversy. While some traders accused him of frustrating enforcement efforts for political reasons, Ntambi maintained that his actions were driven by concern for the livelihoods of residents whose businesses were affected by the relocation exercise.
Mubende Municipality Member of Parliament Sumayah Nabawanuka expressed disappointment that the disagreement had escalated to the point of requiring intervention from the central government. She urged leaders to prioritize dialogue and cooperation whenever disputes arise, emphasizing that local solutions should always be exhausted before matters are elevated to higher authorities.
Adding his voice to the discussions, Mubende Resident District Commissioner Fred Nayebare Kyamuzita called for unity among leaders, arguing that government programs can only succeed when those responsible for implementation work together. He stressed that divisions among leaders often create confusion among residents and slow down development initiatives.
Addressing stakeholders, Balaam insisted that his mission was not to support any side in the dispute but to ensure government policy is implemented effectively. He emphasized that the government had invested significant resources in constructing the market and that traders should occupy the facility so the investment can serve its intended purpose and boost local economic activity.
The minister concluded by issuing a firm warning that no trader would be allowed to conduct business along roadsides and that all taxi operators must use designated stages. His intervention effectively settles a dispute that had expanded from taxi operations in the town centre into a wider conflict over urban order, a matter that eventually reached the office of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja before being referred to the Local Government Ministry for resolution.
