NEWS– Premier Nabbanja has refuted claims that President Museveni is dodging to meet traders in order to avoid the embarrassment and heckling he faced during the first meeting in May 2024.
Nabbanja made it clear that the reason for postponement of the earlier planned meeting place is because of the renovation works taking place at Kololo Independence Grounds, which also explains why the request by National Unity Platform host an event at the same venue was declined.
“I want MPs here to note that the Prime Minister here isn’t a sleeping Prime Minister and the President can’t hide from his people. The President didn’t meet the traders yesterday because we are still renovating Kololo (Independence Grounds) that is why your people, the President of national Unity Platform didn’t access it and you people were complaining, even ours hasn’t accessed Kololo. This is an update, the President will meet the traders at an appropriate date and I believe the President will get a date and meet the traders,” said Nabbanja.
Her remarks were in response to a question posed by Manjeri Kyebakutika (Jinja City Woman MP) during the Prime Minister’s Question time at Parliament, where she tasked Nabbanja to explain why the President has dodged meeting traders and when Government will come up with lasting solution to address concerns of the traders.
“In May 2024, the President met with the traders at Kololo Independence Grounds and it was resolved that let the penalties be suspended to those who were non-compliant. They further resolved that another meeting was supposed to be held with the traders. However, the President has continued to postpone, hide and dodge meeting the traders. When is Government giving a conclusive decision on matters concerning the traders in this country?” remarked Kyabakutika.
The Prime Minister further revealed that on Thursday morning, she held a meeting with the Ministers of Finance, Trade, alongside the leadership of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) and some traders where the parties agreed to open up their shops.
“We also agreed that shops be open starting from tomorrow. We also agreed that there are people who are known as Kifeesi who have been scaring traders from accessing their shops and that those should be dealt with by Police,” added Nabbanja.
