The traders operating in Kampala City have disagreed on whether they should continue with the strike or stand down.

A section of traders said they were ready to open up their businesses to cater to their customers, while others maintained that they will continue to close their businesses until they meet President Museveni on Friday, April 19, 2024, at State House Entebbe.

The split was witnessed during the meeting between city traders and their leaders of different associations, such as KACITA, KAFUTA, and others, convened by Kyofatogabye Kabuye, the State Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority, at the Fairway Hotel in Kampala.

According to Dr.Thadeus Musoke Nagenda, Chairperson of KACITA, the challenges affecting traders include the unfair taxation policy of Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solutions (EFRIS), the Chinese dominance in the local market, taxes levied on the kilogram of clothes, and the arrest of their colleagues.

In response to the traders pleas, Kyofatogabye said that the arrested traders will be released before Friday, adding that even tax penalties on traders have been removed and traders are free to go and clear their stocks.

He, however, said that other issues like halting EFRIS, exemption of tax per kilogram of clothes, and banning Chinese from retailing, among others, will be cleared during the meeting between 100 traders and Museveni on Friday.

Nagenda said that there are multiple challenges faced by the trader that deserve the attention of business stakeholders. He, however, appealed to the business community to remain calm until they meet President Museveni.

John Kabanda, the leader of the New Generation Traders Association, said that they will not open shops until traders who were arrested are released, adding that they (traders) must meet Museveni to give directives on the challenges faced by traders before they open up their businesses.

Peter Aliganyira, a trader operating in Kampala, opposed Kabanda’s decision to close their shops until they met Museveni.

He suggested that those who want to open their shops should be allowed to do so because many businessmen have no money to sustain their families.

“Minister Kyofatogabye, allow us to open up shops because while I was coming from Gayaza, my car ran out of fuel, and I don’t know how I will go back,” Aliganyira said.

Minister Kyofatogabye directed that those who want to open their business should do so and serve people, adding that those who don’t want to open should wait until they meet Museveni.

He added that he will provide security to those who want to open and should not be intimidated by anyone. However, he warned those who wanted to continue the strike to avoid violence, stating that such people would be handled according to the law.

Currently, some shops housed in different shopping malls in Kampala have been opened, while others remain closed in protest against the unfair trade policies.