Yoweri Museveni has ignited fresh national debate after drawing a striking comparison between street vending and the business of making coffins, as he defended his government’s ongoing crackdown on hawkers and pavement traders across urban areas.
Speaking during a national address, the President argued that both coffin making and uncontrolled street vending reflect activities that grow from societal problems rather than contributing meaningfully to long-term economic development. He said such practices should gradually be replaced by productive, structured forms of enterprise.
Museveni insisted that the removal of hawkers from streets and sidewalks is part of a broader strategy to restore urban order, protect public health, and strengthen formal businesses. He maintained that vendors operating in open spaces often undermine registered traders who pay rent, follow regulations, and contribute taxes to government revenue.
He further argued that street vending creates a parallel informal economy that is difficult to regulate, pointing out that many hawkers operate without registration or accountability. According to him, this makes it challenging for authorities to enforce standards or trace responsibility in cases involving unsafe or substandard goods.
The President also raised concerns about public health and safety, saying that food and other products sold in open environments are exposed to dust, contamination, and other risks. He added that the occupation of sidewalks by traders forces pedestrians onto busy roads, increasing the likelihood of traffic accidents and congestion in urban centres.
While acknowledging the disruption caused by eviction operations, Museveni suggested that local governments should work on identifying designated spaces where displaced vendors can legally operate. He stressed, however, that any such arrangements must include licensing, identification, and full tax compliance to ensure accountability.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to environmental protection, warning against continued encroachment on wetlands and forests. He said such ecosystems are essential to Uganda’s rainfall patterns and water security, and blamed some officials for previously allowing their destruction.
Museveni concluded by insisting that both the trade order enforcement and environmental restoration campaigns will continue without compromise, arguing that Uganda’s long-term development depends on discipline, formalisation of the economy, and protection of natural resources.
