City traders close shops over rent hike dispute, RCC intervenes

KAMPALA - The Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Kampala, Hajji Umar Lule Mawiya, has intervened in the ongoing rent dispute between downtown city traders and their landlord, Tom Kitandwe.

This comes after a four-day strike by traders who began closing their shops last Friday in protest of what they call an unlawful rent increase.

The affected traders operate in Gazaland, Galiraya, and Grand Corner Arcades, collectively known as the 3Gs.

Their protest stems from a recent rent hike imposed by Kitandwe, one of the city’s prominent landlords. According to the traders, the increment, which ranges from UGX 1.5 million to UGX 2 million, violates the Landlord and Tenant Act, which limits rent increases to a maximum of 10% annually.

“We are tired of landlords who arbitrarily hike rent without considering the financial strain we are under,” said Robert Tuherwe Kabushenga, a tenant at Gazaland Arcade.

In addition to the rent concerns, the traders raised complaints over high electricity charges, claiming they are forced to pay UGX 400,000 per month per shop, despite using electricity only for lighting.

“We do not cook or iron in our shops. How does the landlord justify charging us a flat rate of 400,000 shillings?” asked Jack Mukasa, popularly known as Ssalongo Layisi, during a meeting convened at Aponye Building on Friday.

The meeting was organized by the United Arcades Traders and Entrepreneurs’ Association (UATEA), the umbrella body representing the disgruntled traders.

Other issues raised during the meeting include exorbitant charges for garbage collection and toilet usage, services the traders argue should be covered by the trade license fees paid to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

“We pay KCCA to provide sanitation and garbage services. Why then are we still being charged for toilets and rubbish collection by landlords?” asked Annet Naiga, a trader at one of the arcades.

Mark Kisuze, chairperson of the phone dealers in the 3Gs, added that many of the buildings lack proper toilet facilities, raising questions about how KCCA approves such building plans in the first place.

“How does KCCA approve buildings that fail to provide basic facilities like toilets for tenants? Even small commercial buildings in the suburbs manage to do better with less rent,” said Edward Ntale, UATEA chairperson.

The traders, through their legal representative Robert Rutaro, have resolved to sue landlord Tom Kitandwe for violating the Landlord and Tenant Act. They have also vowed not to pay rent until the matter is addressed satisfactorily.

RCC in

In response to the escalating situation, Mawiya has summoned the traders for a meeting at her offices in Nakasero in an effort to find a solution.

What remains to be seen is whether the talks will lead to a resolution that allows the traders to reopen their shops and resume business operations.