Kampala traders threaten to close shops over cancelled meeting with Museveni

Kampala traders have threatened to close their shops starting Wednesday, July 31, after President Yoweri Museveni, through the Minister for Kampala, cancelled a scheduled meeting.

The meeting was intended for traders to voice their grievances, including concerns about unfair taxation and a disorganised business environment.

The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) spokesperson, Isa Ssekitto, expressed their disappointment, stating that they were initially scheduled to meet the President on July 31.

However, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, informed them via WhatsApp that the meeting had been cancelled due to renovations at Kololo Independence Grounds, the intended venue.

Isa Ssekitto criticised the minister’s use of WhatsApp for such important communication, calling it disrespectful to the traders, who are significant contributors to the country’s economy.

He further noted that they were informed that the President would meet them at an unspecified date towards the end of August.

Isa Ssekitto lamented the financial losses traders are experiencing due to the lack of business activity and questioned why the meeting couldn’t be relocated, as they have previously met the President at different locations.

“Traders are determined to close their shops by the 31st if the President does not address them through any appropriate media,” he said during a media briefing on Tuesday, July 31.

He urged traders to remain peaceful in their demonstrations and highlighted their concerns, including unfair taxation on textiles and garments and the involvement of manufacturers in retail, which they argue promotes unfair competition.

President Museveni last met with traders on May 7, following their protests over what they described as unfair taxes imposed by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the problematic implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).