Car dealers on Kampala road face eviction

Starting next Monday, car dealers operating along one of Kampala’s busiest stretches will face eviction as the Ministry of Works and Transport moves to clear the area. This affects businesses in Nakawa, Kyambogo, and Kireka, where imported vehicles have long been displayed for sale right by the roadside. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion, but the decision has sparked worry among owners who say it threatens their livelihoods.

State Minister Musa Ecweru made the announcement during a press briefing, explaining that his team has already reached out to every affected dealer. Security forces, including police, are ready to step in if needed. Dealers have just a few days to move out on their own terms. If they do not, vehicles will be towed to storage sites, and owners will foot the bill for everything.

This is not the first time these dealers have heard from the government. In the past, they shifted cars farther back from the road to ease traffic flow. But now, the ministry wants them gone entirely. Isa Ssengooba, who leads the Car Bond Owners Association in Nakawa, points out that roadworks are still unfinished, with no proper sidewalks for pedestrians, which he argues are the real culprits behind the jams. He estimates over a thousand people rely on these operations for jobs, supporting countless families in a city where employment can be tough to find.

The association has tried talking to officials about finding a new spot, perhaps in nearby Mukono, but so far, no luck. Relocating could work for some, but Ssengooba wonders if customers will follow them out there, away from the high-traffic highway. For buyers, this might mean fewer options in one convenient location, potentially driving up prices or pushing sales online. In a broader sense, it highlights Kampala’s growing pains as the city expands, balancing commerce with smoother urban flow. Dealers hope for a last-minute compromise, but time is running short.