In a new series of drama, Lord Mayor is involved in a verbal war against minister for Kampala Betty Kamya over issues of KACITA and street vendors in Kampala.
Yesterday, Kamya issued a directive ordering all vendors to immediately get off the streets for security purposes. There has been a war between shop owners and vendors with the latter claiming that despite paying high rental fees and taxes, vendors take all the customers by setting up in front of their shops, selling the same commodities at a lesser fee.
But this afternoon, Lukwago told the press that as policy makers and the elected leaders of this city, they are in control of the row between the two parties and will come to an agreement by Monday next week.
He accused the minister of riding by the books of her predecessor Hon. Frank Tumwebaze whom Lukwago says would jump on issues and make unnecessary directives.
“She has issued a statement which is intended to overrun authority which was entrusted to us as elected leaders. Actually it’s a re-incarnation of what has happened previously rolling the wheels back to where we came from. We have had this unfortunate standoff before, the minister is reading from the script of her predecessor. With all due respect to the minister we are not elected to receive directives” Lukwago lashed out.
Lukwago added that; We are policy makers, and she should have respect for people who elected us. They took time to make a decision on who should take charge of their affairs. We have not failed to handle the issues.
The Lord Mayor says he has called for a special authority meeting scheduled for Monday next week at 10am to address the same issues.
Lukwago was in the past entangled in disagreements with the Executive Director Jennifer Musisi, until President Museveni accused her of using an iron hand on his voters in Kampala. She has since been silent in regards to such contentious matters.
While some shop owners say vendors should be directed to start selling their stuff at 7pm, the latter claim they were told by President Museveni to sell any time of the day and make money to take care of their families.
Police maintains deployment in the city center, as KACITA has promised to forcefully evict the vendors.