Museveni cancels meeting with traders

The strike is a response to frustrations stemming from the handling of the cancellation and broader issues facing the business community, particularly concerning taxation and foreign competition.

KACITA Spokesperson Issa Sekito expressed disappointment over the manner in which the meeting was called off.

According to Sekito, the traders were informed via a WhatsApp voice message from the Minister for Kampala, Hon. Minsa Kabanda.

This informal communication method, he said was “unprofessional and disrespectful, especially for a matter involving the entire business community.”

The meeting, initially planned for July 31, was expected to address critical issues affecting traders, including heavy taxation and the presence of foreign traders in local markets.

Minister Kabanda in a WhatsApp voice note attributed the cancellation of the meeting with the president to ongoing renovations at Kololo Independence Ground.

Sekito wondered during a press conference today, whether other venues could not be secured by the president.

“We have ever met the president at a conference centre. We can meet him at Namboole or Nakivubo. He can even use the other ways he uses to communicate with the country, (national broadcast) but not through an SMS,” he said

He also said the President should have communicated through the Ministry of Trade, considering the national importance of the issues at hand.

The impending strike echoes the sentiments expressed during a previous protest in April.

At that time, traders closed their businesses in protest against the Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).

Read: Museveni insists on taxes as traders agree to open shops

The system, intended to streamline tax collection, faced backlash from traders who cited high costs and penalties associated with its usage.

During a heated meeting at Kololo Independence Grounds on May 7, President Museveni temporarily suspended penalties related to EFRIS, pending further consultations with the Ministry of Finance and URA officials

Despite the suspension, traders have remained concerned about the overall tax burden and the presence of foreign traders in Uganda's markets.

They argue that foreign traders engaging in petty businesses are depriving locals of opportunities. The KACITA leadership has urged traders to participate in the strike peacefully, emphasizing the importance of unity in their cause.