Street vendor evictions in Nebbi town by municipal authorities have driven up food prices, hitting low-income residents hard as affordable options vanish.
Vendors report sharp drops in sales while pushing for alternative trading spots amid infrastructure upgrades.
Food prices in Nebbi town have spiked following the removal of street vendors from kiosks and makeshift setups by local authorities.
The crackdown, aimed at enforcing trade regulations, has disrupted daily livelihoods. Many vendors now face slim pickings, with some shifting to farming to survive.
Residents, especially those on tight budgets, complain of reduced access to cheap meals. They must travel farther for bargains as nearby spots jack up rates.
Local Jeremy Akenda noted that familiar eateries hiked local food from Shs 3,000 to Shs 5,000 per serving, with more increases looming sans the evicted joints.
Vendor Alice Giramiah along Arua Road laments lost kiosk customers, dropping her daily 5kg meat sales to just 2kg. Rent worries mount without a turnaround.
Evelyn Acen highlighted price jumps: meat or fish plates from Shs 5,000 to Shs 7,000, beans or greens from Shs 2,000 to Shs 3,000.
While officials cite sanitation and order—clearing space for streetlights, walkways, and drainage on the 33km Alwi-Nebbi road under China Railway 18—vendors stress their role in affordable food and seek new locations.
