By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) have threatened to stage a peaceful demonstration if government does not address their issues with in 15 days.
This was during a press conference held today at their offices at Royal Complex, Kampala.
It should be recalled that on February 8, the traders issued a 30 days ultimatum to president Museveni to meet with traders listen and address their complaints over the continuous Tax policies, EFRIS and 18% VAT over rent.
“We’re giving the president a 30 days ultimatum to schedule a meeting with us to explain our problems, if he doesn’t meet us before 8 March, 2024, we shall close down our businesses and stage an industrial action,” Dr. Thadeus said amidst loud hand applauses from traders.
On March 8, the president directed PSST Ramathan Ggoobi to meet the traders and a meeting took place at KACITa head offices in Kampala where the ministry pledged to on behalf of the government address concerns raised by traders including the Chinese penetration of their businesses.
Parrots Media has learned that other subsequent meetings between traders, URA have taken place before however the traders argue that their grievances have not been fully answered to.
Traders who say they are incurring lots of expenses like trade licenses, rent, garbage collection fee and are being subjected to unfair competition from Chinese and Indian traders which they want the government to address have now threatened to stage a peaceful demonstration on 16th April, 2024 if the government doesn’t respond to their demands by April 15.
They said the demonstration will also include traders from other parts of the country who are under KACITA.