The Wakiso District Woman Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Betty Ethel Naluyima, has raised alarm over the escalating evictions in metropolitan areas, warning that the exercise is being carried out without adequate resettlement plans for affected residents.
Speaking during a parliamentary sitting on April 15, 2026, Naluyima expressed deep concern over the plight of thousands of small-scale traders and residents who are being displaced to pave way for urban development projects.
Naluyima revealed that she was part of a parliamentary committee that conducted community sensitization campaigns in areas such as Katabi, where residents were encouraged to surrender land for the construction of new markets and expansion of roads. However, she noted with frustration that the same communities are now being evicted without being provided with viable alternatives.
“I am talking with a lot of pain. This is about the young girl who has started a small business and is now being evicted,” Naluyima said.
She explained that leaders in the Kampala Metropolitan area had urged communities to cooperate with government infrastructure plans, particularly road expansion projects. This cooperation, she said, resulted in many residents adjusting their structures closer to road reserves—only for those same structures to now be marked for demolition.
“As leaders, we sensitized communities to give in their land so that we could expand roads. Now their structures are being demolished without any alternative,” she added.
Naluyima questioned the government’s preparedness to accommodate the displaced populations, challenging authorities to account for the promised markets.
“Show me the markets in Kampala Metropolitan areas where these people are supposed to go,” she demanded.
The ongoing demolitions have reportedly left thousands of traders without livelihoods, sparking fears of a broader economic impact. Analysts warn that the displacement of large numbers of informal business operators could disrupt local economies, reduce consumption, and increase urban poverty.
Naluyima has called on the government to halt the evictions until clear resettlement and compensation plans are established, emphasizing the need for humane and inclusive urban development policies.
The issue adds to growing scrutiny over urban planning and land management in Uganda’s rapidly expanding metropolitan regions, where infrastructure development continues to collide with the realities of informal settlements and small-scale enterprises.
