Kampala traders bicker over new Kikuubo Lane
Jul 07, 2008
A row has erupted among Kampala traders over the maintenance of the newly-constructed Kikuubo Lane in Kampala.
By Eddie Ssejjoba
A row has erupted among Kampala traders over the maintenance of the newly-constructed Kikuubo Lane in Kampala.
The Upper Kikuubo Traders and Transporters Association Group accuses their rivals, the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), of planning to collect illegal levies.
The Upper Kikuubo traders presented their complaints to the Central Division assistant resident district commissioner, Rose Kirabira, during a meeting on Saturday.
They alleged that KACITA had formed a road maintenance committee that had plans to make owners of commercial vehicles, which load and off-load merchandise in Kikuubo, pay between sh5,000 and sh30,000.
“We wish to express our gratitude to the Government for upgrading Kikuubo Lane. We wish to report to you a threatening breach of peace in the business hub arising from recent infiltration by non traders who wish to falsely claim credit for the construction of the Kikuubo lane,†the document read.
The traders threatened to close their shops if KACITA levied the taxes, saying it would be double taxation.
They said KACITA had previously collected money from traders to work on the lane but the work never took off.
Kirabira assured the traders that the Government would not allow other taxes to be imposed on them.
“The Government gives KCC money to maintain city roads, including the Kikuubo Lane, so there is no need to collect more money from you.â€
However, KACITA chairman Issa Ssekitto dismissed the allegations, saying they would only put up a gate to guide traffic in the lane.
He said KCC had endorsed the committee that would maintain the lane once the Government handed it over to them.
“The RDC and some councillors are peddling cheap politics and no body will derail us.â€
A row has erupted among Kampala traders over the maintenance of the newly-constructed Kikuubo Lane in Kampala.
The Upper Kikuubo Traders and Transporters Association Group accuses their rivals, the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), of planning to collect illegal levies.
The Upper Kikuubo traders presented their complaints to the Central Division assistant resident district commissioner, Rose Kirabira, during a meeting on Saturday.
They alleged that KACITA had formed a road maintenance committee that had plans to make owners of commercial vehicles, which load and off-load merchandise in Kikuubo, pay between sh5,000 and sh30,000.
“We wish to express our gratitude to the Government for upgrading Kikuubo Lane. We wish to report to you a threatening breach of peace in the business hub arising from recent infiltration by non traders who wish to falsely claim credit for the construction of the Kikuubo lane,†the document read.
The traders threatened to close their shops if KACITA levied the taxes, saying it would be double taxation.
They said KACITA had previously collected money from traders to work on the lane but the work never took off.
Kirabira assured the traders that the Government would not allow other taxes to be imposed on them.
“The Government gives KCC money to maintain city roads, including the Kikuubo Lane, so there is no need to collect more money from you.â€
However, KACITA chairman Issa Ssekitto dismissed the allegations, saying they would only put up a gate to guide traffic in the lane.
He said KCC had endorsed the committee that would maintain the lane once the Government handed it over to them.
“The RDC and some councillors are peddling cheap politics and no body will derail us.â€