Archival Sense
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- Dec 16, 2025
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Food prices in Nebbi Town have risen sharply following the eviction of street vendors from the central business district, a move by municipal authorities aimed at restoring order and improving urban infrastructure.
A street food vendor in Nebbi (image courtesy of The Observer)
The evictions targeted kiosks and makeshift structures that had long served as affordable food outlets for low income residents. With their removal, both vendors and consumers are now grappling with the economic fallout.
Residents say the disappearance of these informal eateries has significantly reduced access to low-cost meals. Jeremy Akenda, a local resident, noted that meals that previously cost Shs3,000 are now selling for as much as Shs5,000, with fears that prices could climb even higher.
“The established places where we used to eat local food at Shs3,000 have raised the price to Shs5,000,” he said, attributing the increase to reduced competition and limited options.
For vendors, the impact has been equally severe. Alice Giramiah, who operates along Arua Road, said her business has suffered due to the loss of her primary customer base since kiosk operators who were evicted.
“Before the eviction, I used to sell 5kg of meat daily, but after the eviction, I hardly sell 2kg,” she said, warning that sustaining rent payments may soon become difficult if the situation persists.
Other vendors report a direct increase in food prices. Evelyn Acen said a plate of meat or fish that previously cost Shs5,000 now goes for Shs7,000, while beans or greens have risen from Shs2,000 to Shs3,000.
The ripple effects extend beyond pricing. Some displaced vendors have reportedly turned to farming as they struggle to find alternative trading spaces, while consumers are being forced to travel longer distances in search of affordable meals.
Municipal authorities maintain that the evictions are part of a broader plan to improve sanitation, reduce congestion, and pave the way for infrastructure upgrades. The cleared spaces are expected to facilitate the installation of streetlights, walkways, and drainage systems along the 33-kilometre Alwi–Nebbi Town road, currently under construction by China Railway 18 Bureau Group.
However, vendors argue that the informal sector plays a critical role in urban food supply, particularly for low income earners. They are now calling on authorities to provide designated spaces where they can continue operating without disrupting planned developments.
Source - The Independent
A street food vendor in Nebbi (image courtesy of The Observer)
The evictions targeted kiosks and makeshift structures that had long served as affordable food outlets for low income residents. With their removal, both vendors and consumers are now grappling with the economic fallout.
Residents say the disappearance of these informal eateries has significantly reduced access to low-cost meals. Jeremy Akenda, a local resident, noted that meals that previously cost Shs3,000 are now selling for as much as Shs5,000, with fears that prices could climb even higher.
“The established places where we used to eat local food at Shs3,000 have raised the price to Shs5,000,” he said, attributing the increase to reduced competition and limited options.
For vendors, the impact has been equally severe. Alice Giramiah, who operates along Arua Road, said her business has suffered due to the loss of her primary customer base since kiosk operators who were evicted.
“Before the eviction, I used to sell 5kg of meat daily, but after the eviction, I hardly sell 2kg,” she said, warning that sustaining rent payments may soon become difficult if the situation persists.
Other vendors report a direct increase in food prices. Evelyn Acen said a plate of meat or fish that previously cost Shs5,000 now goes for Shs7,000, while beans or greens have risen from Shs2,000 to Shs3,000.
The ripple effects extend beyond pricing. Some displaced vendors have reportedly turned to farming as they struggle to find alternative trading spaces, while consumers are being forced to travel longer distances in search of affordable meals.
Municipal authorities maintain that the evictions are part of a broader plan to improve sanitation, reduce congestion, and pave the way for infrastructure upgrades. The cleared spaces are expected to facilitate the installation of streetlights, walkways, and drainage systems along the 33-kilometre Alwi–Nebbi Town road, currently under construction by China Railway 18 Bureau Group.
However, vendors argue that the informal sector plays a critical role in urban food supply, particularly for low income earners. They are now calling on authorities to provide designated spaces where they can continue operating without disrupting planned developments.
Source - The Independent
