The government yesterday arrested the acting chairperson of Kampala City Traders Association (Kacita) in a move aimed at deflating their strike that entered day three.
Mr Issa Ssekitto, who was instrumental in mobilising the traders during the protests, is accused of inciting the businesspeople and assaulting police officers. Mr Ssekitto and a dozen others are detained at the Central Police Station in Kampala City.
Before his arrest, Mr Ssekitto had accused the government of using underhand methods in attempts to frustrate the strike instead of resolving the issues driving the traders’ protests.
‘The pressure is so much on traders. They are going to pay high rent as it were because nothing has changed. They are still going to be paying through the nose on goods they are getting out of customs because the delays are going to continue. They are going to pay taxes in kilos because the government has not adjusted anything,’ Mr Ssekitto said moments before his arrest on Nabugabo Street, downtown Kampala.
Ssekitto’s arrest
No sooner had Mr Ssekitto concluded his address to traders and journalists than the police officers swung into action and arrested him. But Mr Ssekitto warned that his arrest wouldn’t solve the problems.
Mr Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, said Mr Ssekitto would help them with investigations into the protests.
Mr Owoyesigyire said the arrest of Mr Ssekitto follows their detaining of 13 others over similar allegations of inciting violence and assaulting police officers while on lawful duties.
‘The case file has been forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal advice as investigations into the matter continue,’ Mr Owoyesigyire said.
The traders closed shops on Tuesday, November 4, protesting a range of issues, including high taxes, coercive enforcement of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Systems, high rent, and payment of power bills.
The traders also want $3 (Shs10,695) and $3.5 (Shs12,476) tax on each kilogramme of imported fabrics and garments reduced, which demands President Museveni has rejected, saying the heavy taxes are intended to discourage importation of products that can be manufactured in Uganda.
On its second day, the strike turned into running battles between police officers and the traders. The government deployed a joint security force in the city centre to protect the traders who chose to open their shops.
The traders also allege that the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) does not refund the six percent Withholding Tax to them. They also want foreign investors to leave retail business to the locals.
They are also protesting the increased presence of vendors on the streets, which they say undermines shopkeepers.
Two months ago, the traders staged a strike over the same concerns but called off the action after a meeting between Kacitak leaders and the Prime Minister, Ms Robinah Nabbanja.
Traders respond
A section of the traders said this time round, they will continue with the strike until the government resolves their concerns.
‘We are still fighting for our businesses because this is our survival. We don’t want our businesses to incur losses. If the government shows no interest in listening to us, we shall stick to what the Constitution dictates, which is peaceful demonstration,’ Mr David Mwesigwa, a trader, said.
Mr John Kabanda, the chairperson of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association, warned: ‘The only ideal way we have to show our grievance is to close our shops and not reopen until the government acts accordingly. We are not ready to give up.’