After months of public sensitisation, Adjumani TC to resume trade order operations

Authorities in Adjumani town council, working together with security agencies, are set to begin enforcing the government’s trade order starting Tuesday, July 1, 2026.

The resumption, authorities say, follows several months of public sensitisation through local radio stations.

A directive from the Ministry of Local Government to local governments aims at restoring order in urban centres by removing illegal roadside structures and relocating vendors to designated markets.

Speaking about the planned operation, Adjumani town clerk Eriku Patrick Keleture said the town council deliberately delayed implementation to allow residents enough time to prepare.

“On the trade order, we are going to start operation on the 1st of July as communicated during our radio talk show, and we have been communicating this through radio talk shows, and the time has now come.

“This information was in response to the letter written and circulated by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Local Government. That letter was written on the 10th of March 2026, and immediately, some local governments started their operation. But for us, we said we should go slow. What we did first was to go on the radio in April,” Eriku said.

Keleture urged vendors occupying pedestrian walkways and those operating in unauthorised structures to relocate voluntarily before the operation begins.

“1st of July we are starting,” he emphasised. “And we are going to also relocate those other vendors who are sitting on the pedestrian ways and those structures that are not in line with the building lines; we shall also demolish them or remove them.”

Deputy Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okwere said the trade order is a nationwide government directive already being implemented in larger urban centres and is now being extended to all towns.

“The trade order is a government directive that has been implemented in many other bigger towns, cities, and municipalities and is cascaded to all other towns. So, this is a part and parcel of creating order in towns and allowing businesses to operate formally.”

“We don’t want many informal businesses taking place at the centre of business districts,” the deputy commissioner stated.

Okwere said security agencies are fully aware of the planned exercise and will support the town council where necessary.

“So, according to the notice which was given by Adjumani town council, come the 30th tomorrow, the final day. Wednesday, the 1st of July, is a new order. All those kiosks will be cleared, and we as security are aware of this.”

Okwere vowed security support where needed, stating that people should take note that their business must operate in well-designated places, where the environment allows them to operate.

“Anything beyond that is not good.”

He further called on business owners to comply voluntarily before enforcement begins.

The enforcement marks the beginning of a new phase in Adjumani town council’s efforts to improve urban order, public safety, and organised business operations.

Authorities have appealed to vendors and kiosk owners to cooperate by relocating to gazetted markets and removing unauthorised structures voluntarily to avoid forced demolition during the operation.