Traders strike: Police reassures security to business community

The postponement of a meeting between President Museveni and the business community has sparked another episode of country wide traders’ strike.

In Kampala City and some major towns around the country the leadership of traders have asked the business community to join in strike.

Led by the Chairman Jinja Traders Association, Juma Muyita, many traders have decided to close their businesses in protest of a decision to cancel their meeting with President Museveni as earlier promised.

During the previous meeting with the leadership of City traders a month ago, the President promised to have another meeting at Kololo independence grounds on July 31, which didn’t happen leaving the business community in suspense.

The disgruntled traders accuse the Head of State of failure to honour his promise yet they have “unfinished” business with him.

“We still have issues with the electronic fiscal receipting and invoicing system and some taxes especially the Import duty, we were hopeful that when we meet the President some of these issues would discussed extensively,” Juma Muyita said

In his statement issued on July 31, Muyita called upon the business community in Jinja to close their shops till they meet the President.

Police has however encouraged traders to be calm and promised security to those who are shall open their shops.

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma has assured traders of security.

“The Uganda Police is keenly monitoring activities within the business community,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

“In light of the recent postponement of the meeting between traders and the President, we have observed that some traders operating in the Central Business District (CBD) of Kampala have opted to close their shops in protest, while others continue to operate as usual.”

Kituuma called on the traders to remain calm as they wait for the appropriate time for meeting with the President.

Police have committed to protect traders if they decide to open their shops

“We wish to reassure traders to keep their businesses open. The Uganda Police Force is committed to providing them protection and security,” he said.

This year Ugandan business community has engaged in several protests over unfavourable business environment coupled with tax regime.