By KT Reporter
A group of Kampala city traders stormed Buganda Road Court today, demanding the release of 17 colleagues arrested on Tuesday. The traders were protesting multiple issues, including high taxes on garments, increased rents by arcade owners, the URA’s e-billing and tax payment system (EFRIS), and the licensing of foreigners to operate in low-income businesses that compete with local traders.
The arrested traders appeared before Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankye, facing charges of common nuisance for allegedly causing public inconvenience by staging a road procession. Sixteen of the traders were granted non-cash bail of UGX 200,000 each, after presenting fellow traders as sureties. Each surety was required to sign a non-cash bond of UGX 500,000 to ensure the accused return for trial on October 15, 2025.
One trader, Christopher Okecho, was remanded to Luzira Prison after the court was unable to proceed without a Japhadola interpreter. Earlier, the traders met with Prime Minister Robinah Nabanjja at the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, but the meeting was abruptly adjourned. The traders were informed that their colleagues had been detained for allegedly becoming violent and pelting stones at police officers on patrol.
The revelation angered the traders, prompting them to storm out of the meeting and head to Buganda Road Court to demand the release of their colleagues. They declared that they would meet with the Prime Minister later in the afternoon after securing the release of their detained peers.
Following the release, Issa Sekitto, Chairman of KACITA, confirmed that the traders are ready to meet with Prime Minister Nabanjja to seek solutions to the issues that triggered the protest.
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