The Kampala traders, under different trade groups like the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA), have staged a peaceful demonstration on Monday, April 8, 2024, to express their dissatisfaction over the alleged harsh trade policy enforced by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

The trade policies include an Electronic Fiscal Receiving and Invoicing System (EFRIS) that was introduced to curb tax evasion, according to URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki.

However, traders have since expressed concerns that the system will lead to double taxation on imported goods and create unnecessary bureaucracy.

Holding their ground on the matter, most of the arcades in Kampala downtown were seen closed on Monday morning at around 7:00 am, and most of the traders operating from arcades such as Mini Price, Modern, Giant, Translink, Corner House, Kati Kati, People’s Plaza at Arua Park, and Kikuubo, among others were seen standing on the verandas of their shops as other shops on Gazaland arcade were seen open.

According to Michael Kasumba, one of the arcade managers at Nagatule Plaza, some arcade managers are in support of the traders’ decision to protest because the issues affecting traders affect them too.

“We are supporting the traders, and if they say no opening arcades, we shall not open because they are our tenants; if they close shops because they are out of business, then even our buildings will be empty because they are the ones who pay us,” Kasumba said.

Following KACITA’s dialogue approach, some of the traders have opened up their shops to attend to their customers as the association engages the government and URA leadership to revise the EFRIS system and other issues at hand.

Meanwhile, the situation is under control after heavy deployment around the city center by the Uganda Police together with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).