Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga has called for unity among the various traders’ associations operating in the city, saying their fragmentation undermines efforts to address challenges affecting the business community.
More than five traders’ associations operate in Kampala, with each representing sections of the business community. Among them are the Federation of Uganda Traders Associations (FUTA), Kampala Arcaders Traders Association (KATA), United Arcaders Traders and Entrepreneurs Association (UA-TEA), National Entrepreneurs and Traders Association (NETA-Uganda), Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), Kampala Arcaders Advocacy Forum (KAAFO), and Uganda National Traders Alliance (UNATA).
Some of the associations also claim to represent traders beyond Kampala. Speaking during a Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) meeting with leaders of traders’ associations at Kitante Primary School, Balimwezo said the existence of multiple associations has made it difficult for traders to speak with one voice. He alleged that the fragmentation is supported by government as a way of dividing traders and preventing them from pursuing common interests.
The meeting followed an engagement between traders and the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), during which traders raised several concerns requiring KCCA’s intervention. Among the issues raised were what traders described as high and unfair charges for electricity and solid waste imposed by arcade owners.
They said the multiple charges imposed by landlords have increased the cost of doing business, with some traders claiming to operate at a loss. Godfrey Katongole, the chairperson of the Uganda National Traders Alliance (UNATA), called on KCCA to enforce the prepaid electricity billing system, commonly known as Yaka, to ensure traders pay only for the electricity they consume.
Katongole also called for more sensitisation of traders about trading licences so that they understand why the licences are required and how the fees are determined. He further raised concern over the practice of arcade owners renting outdoors and walkways to traders for displaying merchandise, saying this affects the presentation of businesses and movement within the buildings.Katongole asked KCCA to regulate the practice.
Hajji Kato Hussein, the chairperson of the Kampala Arcaders Advocacy Forum (KAAFO), raised concerns about accessibility for persons with disabilities in several arcades. He urged KCCA to enforce requirements for elevators and ramps in buildings to facilitate access for persons with disabilities and older people. Engineer Justus Akankwasa, the KCCA Director of Engineering, said the law does not require buildings of four levels or fewer to have elevators. However, he said KCCA does not encourage, or issue building permits for developments that fail to provide adequate access for persons with disabilities.
Traders also raised concern about trucks and trailers that park in front of shops while offloading goods, saying they obstruct visibility of businesses operating on the ground floor. Thadius Musoke Nagenda of the National Entrepreneurs and Traders Association (NETA) raised concern over the ongoing trade order management, saying it has displaced several traders who now have no workspaces from which to operate.
Musoke also said ongoing road construction works in Kampala are inconveniencing traders, with some roads inaccessible and others generating dust that affects businesses. He urged KCCA to expedite the works or consider carrying out some construction activities at night when business activity has reduced.
The KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, meanwhile, urged traders to make use of vacant spaces available in city markets. Buzeki said 550 spaces in Kampala markets are currently vacant. She also said KCCA does not have free public spaces where weekend and night markets can be established, noting that the available spaces are privately owned.
Buzeki said President Yoweri Museveni directed during a meeting with KCCA that weekend markets should be stopped, while evening and night markets should instead be organised within established markets rather than along roads as had earlier been proposed. She urged leaders of traders’ associations to encourage their members to take up the vacant spaces in city markets-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
