The Minister of State for Youth and Children’s Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, has pledged to lead efforts to secure amnesty for street vendors detained for selling goods illegally on Kampala’s streets.
Balaam argues that this initiative will not only offer relief to those arrested for minor offenses but also help reduce overcrowding in prisons.
Speaking to NBS Television Balaam noted that many of these vendors were arrested before the government constructed markets in Kampala, which are now functional and can provide permanent workspaces for them.
He called for a fair and expedited process to grant them amnesty, emphasizing that their actions were driven by the need to make a living.
“These individuals deserve quick consideration because their offenses are minor and they were simply trying to earn a livelihood. Now that markets are in place, they can transition to formal workstations,” Balaam stated.
The minister cited the recent example of 19 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who were granted amnesty by military courts after being detained for political reasons, adding that such initiatives are feasible and should be extended to other categories of detainees.
The minister reiterated his commitment to working with relevant authorities to ensure that these vendors receive the justice and opportunities they deserve.
