Yoweri Museveni has once again stirred public discussion after strongly defending the government’s ongoing enforcement against street vendors, drawing a controversial comparison between informal trading and the business of making coffins, which he said both emerge from societal weaknesses rather than productive economic strength.
Addressing the nation, Museveni argued that the removal of hawkers from roadsides and pavements is part of a wider plan to restore order in urban centres and shift economic activity into structured, regulated environments that support taxation and planning.
He explained that businesses operating outside formal systems create distortions in the economy, saying street vending disadvantages shop owners and market traders who comply with licensing rules, pay rent, and contribute consistently to government revenue.
The President further claimed that unregulated vending makes it difficult for authorities to track traders or enforce accountability, especially when dealing with consumer complaints or unsafe goods, since many operators remain unidentified within the system.
Museveni also raised concerns about health and safety risks, stating that goods sold in open-air environments are exposed to dust and contamination, while crowded sidewalks push pedestrians onto roads, increasing the risk of accidents and worsening traffic flow in busy towns.
While maintaining his tough stance, he suggested that local authorities should consider allocating designated trading zones for displaced vendors, provided they are formally registered, licensed, and fully integrated into the tax system to ensure fairness and regulation.
He reiterated his broader environmental message, warning against continued destruction of wetlands and forests, which he said are vital for rainfall patterns, water supply, and ecological stability across the country.
Museveni concluded by reaffirming that both the trade enforcement drive and environmental restoration efforts will continue, insisting that Uganda’s progress depends on eliminating disorderly economic practices and strengthening formal systems that support long-term national development.
