By KT Reporter
At least 13 city traders have been arrested by the Central Police Station in Kampala for allegedly inciting violence and attacking police officers during ongoing protests over high rents, electricity bills, and business taxes. The protests began on Tuesday when traders from various umbrella groups shut down shops across the Central Business District (CBD), urging the government to address their grievances.
Business arcades, including Qualicel, Nabukera, Nana, French Plaza, Dembe Plaza, and Sekaziga, closed shops in solidarity. On Wednesday, members of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) joined the demonstrations, further halting business activities.
The Field Force Unit (FFU), backed by military police, engaged in running battles with agitated traders, deploying teargas and firing warning shots into the air to prevent escalation. Several traders were apprehended at the Min Price and Kikubo business areas and detained at the Mini Price police station.
Nazifah Nantayi, a salon operator at Gazaland, cited unfair treatment by landlords, particularly exorbitant electricity charges, as the main reason for joining the protest.
“The situation has been ongoing for a while now. We’ve been asking our landlords to make adjustments, but they haven’t listened to us. I’m expected to pay a Sh1 million electricity bill monthly for just two bulbs. Since our concerns are being ignored, we won’t reopen our businesses until our issues are addressed,” Nantayi said.
Jackson Musoke, who runs an electronics business at Min Price, added that high taxes imposed by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), particularly the taxation of garments by weight, remain a pressing issue. He urged that import tax rates be reduced from 35% to 25%, as in other East African countries.
Edward Ntale, chairperson of the United Arcades Traders and Entrepreneurs Association (UTEA), warned that the protests would continue because landlords have ignored the 2022 Tenant and Landlord Act, insisting on unilateral measures rather than following the law.
Luke Owoyesigyire, Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, confirmed the arrests, stating the traders targeted were involved in violent attacks and were inciting others.
“We had to swing into action and apprehend those attacking traders who had chosen to work, forcing them to close their shops. This is now considered a crime, as no one should attack another person simply because they haven’t participated in the protests. We cannot allow this act,” Owoyesigyire said.
The protesting traders are also demanding action on delays at customs by the URA and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), as well as addressing persistent flooding in the city center, which they blame on the Nakivubo drainage channel redevelopment led by Ham Kiggundu.
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