📷 Kampala traders reopen businesses after meeting with President
Apr 20, 2024
"I am happy that the strike is over and we can get back to work," said Sarah Kanyike, a city trader who runs a shop in Kikuubo. "It was a difficult few days, but I am glad we could agree with the government."
Vehicles loaded with merchandise entered Kikuubo to offload goods which were taken to shopping stores when the strike started a week ago (Photos by Isaac Nuwagaba)
Isaac Nuwagaba
Journalist @New Vision
__________________ Thadeus Musoke Nagenda, the Chairman Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) addressed media over end of strike by traders Hassan Kivejinja pushing a wheel barrow full of goods heading to Kikubo shops after businesses resumed Traders conducting normal businesses in the corners of the shopping arcades which were closed for a week due to strike against EFRIS tax system Hawkers who had abandoned businesses near arcades and shops surfaced today to but small items of goods to trade on streets Kikuubo traders opened their shops to resume normal businesses after the standoff strike ended when they met President Yoweri Museveni Loading and offloading of goods was done when the striking traders ended the disagreements with the government over tax collection system EFRIS
The traders in Kampala have ended their strike and resumed business, much to the relief of residents and visitors alike. The strike, which lasted for several days, was called in protest of a new tax system of Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) on goods sold in the city.
The traders, who had shut down their shops and markets, claimed that the new tax collection system was unfair and would hurt their businesses due to double taxation. They demanded that the government reconsider the tax system and find alternative ways to raise revenue.
According to the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) chairman, Thaddeus Musoke, the decision to resume business came on Friday after meeting President Yoweri Museveni, who promised to study the EFRIS system of tax collection and give the traders the way forward at another meeting scheduled for July 4th, 2024 at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
“After days of negotiations and meeting President Museveni yesterday [Friday, April 19th, 2024], the government and the traders reached a compromise. The government agreed to halt the tax system and provide relief to small businesses. In return, the traders agreed to end the strike and resume business,” he said.
The streets of Kampala were filled with activity once again as traders began to set up their shops and markets. People were seen buying and selling goods, and the city's economy was back in full swing.
"I am happy that the strike is over and we can get back to work," said Sarah Kanyike, a city trader who runs a shop in Kikuubo. "It was a difficult few days, but I am glad we could agree with the government."
Relief
Meanwhile, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, expressed her relief at the end of the strike.
"We understand the concerns of the traders and we are glad that we could find a solution that works for everyone," she said.
"We are committed to supporting the business community in Kampala and we will continue to work with them to ensure their success."
The end of the strike has also been welcomed by retail traders and hawkers who were equally affected.
“I'm thrilled that the strike is over and I can finally buy the things I need," said John Kaweesi, a resident of Kampala. "I hope that the government and the traders can continue to work together to ensure the prosperity of the city."
With the strike over, life in Kampala is slowly returning to normal.
No Comment