BUJUMBURA, March 19th (ABP) – In downtown Bujumbura, the sale of fruits and vegetables on the streets is a reality, a check by ABP noted during a visit he made to Bujumbura City on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Despite the ban, many vendors, aware of the illegality of the activity, continue to sell their fresh fruit on the streets and around the former Bujumbura central market and in other prohibited locations. The vendor, speaking on condition of anonymity and met at the former Bujumbura market, explains that the decision taken by the municipal authorities are not suitable. “We are often victims of police search, confiscation of goods and racketeering and we also face constant challenges related to this decision.”
Those vendors deplore that they have income-related problems because selling at the Jabe market location where they were transferred remains a loss-making job due to the lack of customers. They ask the government to do everything necessary to provide them with places in the city center, in order to save their lives and resolve the economic issue that is paralyzing their families.
Asked about this, the mayor of the city of Bujumbura, Jimmy Hatungimana, said that the ban on selling fruit in the streets was put into effect after noting the disorder that prevails in downtown Bujumbura following the sale of fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs. He further recalled that this ban aims to regulate street vending and maintain public order. In this regard, the mayor of Bujumbura, in collaboration with local administrative leaders, has assumed their responsibility by seeking out spaces in the Jabe market, located in the Bwiza zone of Mukaza commune, where those vendors have been set up to continue their business. Mr. Hatungimana emphasized that these vendors should accept the decision instead of creating disorder, otherwise the police will have to carry out their duties.