By Vicent Emong
Tension flared in Kumi Municipality after an enforcement operation to remove kiosks from road reserves descended into chaos, culminating in a confrontation between municipal officials and political leaders.
The exercise, led by the Principal Executive Engineer, Henry Mateega, was part of a broader initiative aimed at restoring order by clearing illegal structures from public road reserves. The operation followed a stakeholders’ resolution and had initially been scheduled for March 27 but was postponed by seven days to allow further engagement.
According to Mateega, enforcement teams began work at around 10:00 a.m., covering Ongino Road and the Main Road before proceeding to Ngora Road and later Pallisa Road. The operation progressed peacefully for most of the day until tensions escalated in the evening.
Mateega explained that the situation turned volatile when a group, allegedly led by Mayor Richard Ochom, intervened to stop the demolition of a kiosk reportedly belonging to him and located within a road reserve. The structure had already been partially removed when the confrontation began.
The standoff quickly turned violent, with individuals described as goons confronting the enforcement team. Several officers were reportedly assaulted during the chaos, including Patrick Osire, a civil engineer with Kumi Municipality. Police officers present at the scene struggled to contain the situation as tensions escalated.
Authorities have since called for reinforcement from district security, including the District Police Commander (DPC), to restore calm and pursue those involved in the violence.
Condemning the incident, Mateega accused political actors of undermining a jointly agreed resolution and interfering with lawful enforcement.
❝ “This is not a one-man operation. It is a government initiative aimed at restoring order and public safety, and it will proceed to completion.” ❞
— Henry Mateega
He emphasized that all illegal structures within road reserves would be removed without exception, regardless of ownership.
Meanwhile, Mayor Richard Ochom defended his actions, arguing that traders face limited alternative spaces to operate. He accused the enforcement team of selective implementation, claiming that his kiosk was unfairly targeted while others were left untouched.
❝ “I was elected by the people, and these technical staff are undermining the leadership of the people.” ❞
— Richard Ochom
The mayor further insisted that the eviction exercise lacked fairness and did not adequately consider the livelihoods of affected traders.
On the administrative side, the Town Clerk, Emmanuel Okaje, maintained that the operation is lawful and aligned with directives from the Ministry of Local Government.
❝ “The enforcement is being carried out within the law and in line with government directives to restore order in public spaces.” ❞
— Emmanuel Okaje
He reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to implementing the directive fully, noting that restoring order in trading areas is essential for improving urban planning, safety, and service delivery.
The incident highlights the growing tension between enforcement of urban regulations and the realities faced by small-scale traders, many of whom depend on roadside businesses for survival.
As authorities move to continue the exercise, security has been heightened, with leaders calling for calm while emphasizing the need for compliance with municipal regulations.
