The legal framework regulating informal trade in Uganda: a case study of Kampala City

Abstract

The Study analyzes Uganda’s Legal and Regulatory Framework on Informal Trade and uses Kampala City as a case study. Gross violation and utter disregard for rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of Uganda 1995 is one of the major concerns posed by the regulation of Informal Trade. The Study interrogates the domestic laws to assess their provision for the regulation of Informal Trade. It also delves into the factors that promote the prevalence of informal trade, the legal and political measures to address the regulation challenge and bring Informal Trade under the mainstream economy. The Study employs a comparative analysis through case studies and best international practices from the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. It interrogates the extent to which Uganda’s legal and regulatory framework adheres to and incorporates a Human Rights Based Approach in the regulation of Informal Trade, its weaknesses and possible measures that can be taken to make the framework better suited to regulate Informal Trade.