NEWS- The Kampala’s City Traders’ strike has intensified, as more traders closed their shops to join the growing protest, demanding for a meeting with President Museveni to resolve their grievances.
The traders commenced the strike yesterday, protesting the postponement and demanding that President Museveni scraps the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution-EFRIS) being enforced by URA. They are also demanding relief from high taxes on imported garments, an end to Chinese investment in retail shops, and a 10% reduction in import tax.
Despite a slow start yesterday, the strike has gained momentum today, with many more shops closing their doors in solidarity. On Wednesday, only shops and arcades at Nabugabo, Kikubo, and William streets closed, however, these have been joined by more shops at Namirembe road, Nakivubo, Nakasero and some arcades on the Nasser road have also closed.
Several who have spoken to this publication, insist that they will not bow down until their issues resolved. Francis Ddamulira, the General Secretary of Kampala Traders’ Advocacy, said they will not fall to the empty promises, being given to traders by Kampala Ministers, in attempt to cool them down so that they call-off the protest.
“They are trying to hoodwinking us that the president is now ready to meet us. Those are mere words and we are tired of those fake promises by Ministers. This is a sign of disrespect towards our leaders and the business community as a whole and the President is not willing to meet us.” Ddamulira said.
Edward Ntale, Chairperson of the United Arcade Traders Association (UATEA), has condemned the statements by the State Minister for Kampala, Christopher Kyofatogabye, that trader should consider returning to their villages and engage in farming rather than disrupting Kampala with strikes.
“You think we’re just visitors in Kampala, that we somehow wandered into the city by mistake, and now you’re telling us to go back to our villages. But we see you rejoicing in our struggles, celebrating our pain. We’re resolute in our demands, and we won’t back down until our concerns are heard and addressed.”Ntale said.
