RDC suspends Kampala traders elections
Oct 21, 2009
KAMPALA resident district commissioner Alice Muwanguzi has suspended the elections of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) executive, citing security reasons.
By Florence Nakaayi
KAMPALA resident district commissioner Alice Muwanguzi has suspended the elections of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) executive, citing security reasons.
The elections had been slated to take place today at Tides Hotel in Nateete, a Kampala suburb.
The current executive is headed by Livingstone Zziwa whose deputy, Everest Kayongo, is contesting for the chair.
KACITA, a platform for all city traders, was inaugurated in 2003. It has not held polls to replace the first executive since then.
Muwanguzi said the traders’ leaders neither informed her office nor the Police about the elections.
“Elections normally come with anomalies which can result into demonstrations. If not planned for, they can disrupt peace.â€
She recalled that the recent Kabaka demonstrations led to loss of lives and property in the city and paralysed business in Nateete.
Nateete was one of the most affected suburbs last month when rioters took to the street to protest the aborted visit of the Kabaka to Kayunga. The rioters in Nateete set ablaze a Police station and over 20 vehicles.
Another reason for the suspension of the elections, Muwanguzi argued, was that the country is hosting a number of heads of states and foreign delegations for a special AU summit.
“I have already notified Police to make sure that elections are not held. The hotel management has also been cautioned against the function,†she said.
However, KACITA spokesperson Issa Sekito said they were determined to conduct the election as scheduled.
KAMPALA resident district commissioner Alice Muwanguzi has suspended the elections of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) executive, citing security reasons.
The elections had been slated to take place today at Tides Hotel in Nateete, a Kampala suburb.
The current executive is headed by Livingstone Zziwa whose deputy, Everest Kayongo, is contesting for the chair.
KACITA, a platform for all city traders, was inaugurated in 2003. It has not held polls to replace the first executive since then.
Muwanguzi said the traders’ leaders neither informed her office nor the Police about the elections.
“Elections normally come with anomalies which can result into demonstrations. If not planned for, they can disrupt peace.â€
She recalled that the recent Kabaka demonstrations led to loss of lives and property in the city and paralysed business in Nateete.
Nateete was one of the most affected suburbs last month when rioters took to the street to protest the aborted visit of the Kabaka to Kayunga. The rioters in Nateete set ablaze a Police station and over 20 vehicles.
Another reason for the suspension of the elections, Muwanguzi argued, was that the country is hosting a number of heads of states and foreign delegations for a special AU summit.
“I have already notified Police to make sure that elections are not held. The hotel management has also been cautioned against the function,†she said.
However, KACITA spokesperson Issa Sekito said they were determined to conduct the election as scheduled.