Traders’ strike enters day two
Jul 07, 2011
Traders’ strike on Thursday entered a second day as most shops in the central business district of Kampala remain closed.
By Jeff Lule
AN UNKNOWN group of hooligans have attacked traders who were transacting business in Owino market and along Kafumbe Mukasa Road in Kampala.
This comes just as the traders had entered day-two of their strike protesting the high taxes, the depreciating Shilling against the US Dollar and high licensing fees.
The group which claimed to be from Kisekka Market, is said to have attacked fellow traders for refusing to close their businesses.
Business in the city, Mukono and Masaka towns on Wednesday was paralaysed after as sit-down strike over several grievances.
A survey conducted by the New Vision showed that shops along Luwum, William streets, Kikuubo lane and Nabugabo Road among other places were closed by 9am.
Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde is to present a ministerial statement to Parliament later in the day about the Government’s intervention to solve the problem. She has appealed to traders to end the strike.
Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) spokesperson Issa Sekitto has said that traders will have a meeting to forge a forward.
"We called for a two-day sit down strike which we have effectively attained. We believe that our intention has been attained. Whether the strike continues or ends, are the issues we shall discuss in today's meeting," he said.
Some shops owned by Indian which were open yesterday along Kampala Road have also been closed. Usually busy places like Kikuubo, Kiseka market, Owino and Kampala road were all empty.
According to Moses Kibuuka a second hand cloth dealer in Owino market, the strike has been successful since Government pledged to review trade license.
“Yesterday, I never went on strike but it affected me because I did not get any customers. I think such peaceful demonstrations will help us get what we want. We pay high license fees of which we do not benefit. We work under poor conditions despite of the high taxes we pay,†he said.
Abdu Semanda an importer of electronics said the taxes have greatly affected their businesses. He said they will continue with the strike if Government does not respond within a month as promised.
He wants Ggovernment to fix standard rate for the dollar to protect the traders, since the dollar is never stable.
However, Police and military police personnel have been deployed in strategic points while others were seen patrolling the city.
Kampala Police spokesperson, Idi Senkumbi said Police is keeping law and order.
AN UNKNOWN group of hooligans have attacked traders who were transacting business in Owino market and along Kafumbe Mukasa Road in Kampala.
This comes just as the traders had entered day-two of their strike protesting the high taxes, the depreciating Shilling against the US Dollar and high licensing fees.
The group which claimed to be from Kisekka Market, is said to have attacked fellow traders for refusing to close their businesses.
Business in the city, Mukono and Masaka towns on Wednesday was paralaysed after as sit-down strike over several grievances.
A survey conducted by the New Vision showed that shops along Luwum, William streets, Kikuubo lane and Nabugabo Road among other places were closed by 9am.
Trade minister Amelia Kyambadde is to present a ministerial statement to Parliament later in the day about the Government’s intervention to solve the problem. She has appealed to traders to end the strike.
Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) spokesperson Issa Sekitto has said that traders will have a meeting to forge a forward.
"We called for a two-day sit down strike which we have effectively attained. We believe that our intention has been attained. Whether the strike continues or ends, are the issues we shall discuss in today's meeting," he said.
Some shops owned by Indian which were open yesterday along Kampala Road have also been closed. Usually busy places like Kikuubo, Kiseka market, Owino and Kampala road were all empty.
According to Moses Kibuuka a second hand cloth dealer in Owino market, the strike has been successful since Government pledged to review trade license.
“Yesterday, I never went on strike but it affected me because I did not get any customers. I think such peaceful demonstrations will help us get what we want. We pay high license fees of which we do not benefit. We work under poor conditions despite of the high taxes we pay,†he said.
Abdu Semanda an importer of electronics said the taxes have greatly affected their businesses. He said they will continue with the strike if Government does not respond within a month as promised.
He wants Ggovernment to fix standard rate for the dollar to protect the traders, since the dollar is never stable.
However, Police and military police personnel have been deployed in strategic points while others were seen patrolling the city.
Kampala Police spokesperson, Idi Senkumbi said Police is keeping law and order.