Following endless mayhem orchestrated by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) law enforcement agents against vendors on the city streets, a law is reportedly in the pipeline to regulate their operations.
According to Samuel Sserunkuuma, the KCCA acting executive director, the proposed law was submitted to the Council on Wednesday. He added that if passed by the councilors it will help improve KCCA’s tainted image.
“We strongly believe that if an ordinance to regulate this enforcement team is made, it will help us get well trained personnel to enforce the law in the city,” Mr. Sserunkuuma said.
The development comes on the heels of a heated controversy surrounding the recruitment and deployment of the law enforcers whose crude way of operation that has so far claimed two lives, has been condemned by the public.
Early this month, KCCA Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, faulted KCCA law enforcers over the death of a woman identified as Olivia Basemera, 38, a resident of Mengo in Kampala, who jumped into the Nakivubo Channel in a desperate attempt to escape arrest, and drowned. Eyewitnesses said Basemera was vending handkerchiefs when she was confronted by the ruthless KCCA officers.
“I have personally been engaging several people who were at the scene and several accounts from eyewitnesses point to the reckless and criminal conduct of our officers,” Lukwago said while addressing journalists at his chambers.
But KCCA spokesperson Peter Kaujju maintains that on seeing the vehicle carrying enforcement officers, the deceased decided to run, ‘unfortunately falling’ in the channel where she drowned.
In a related development, four KCCA enforcement officers were arrested and charged for manslaughter before Lillian Bucyana, the Nakawa Chief Magistrate, contrary to section 187 and 190 of the Penal Code Act.
The four charged are Tito Kigiro, Eria Waswa, Moses Tebyasa and Farouk Mpima.
Ntwiba Kaine, the State Prosecutor told court that on August 4, 2017 while at Mukwano Round about in Central Division in Kampala District, the four unlawfully caused the death of Oliver Basemera.
This is not the first time the KCCA enforcement officers are cited in the death of hapless Ugandans; in 2014 their actions led to the death of toddler Ryan Ssemaganda, who was knocked by a KCCA vehicle at the Authority’s headquarters as the mother was waiting to be arraigned before court for street vending.
