The protests by city traders, resulting in the closure of businesses, are being fueled by a segment of politicians aiming to incite unrest across the entire country and ignite chaos in Kampala, the Uganda Police Forces has revealed.
Disruptions in business activities, particularly in the Kikuubo hub of downtown Kampala, have been observed as some traders have chosen to shut their shops in protest against various concerns regarding business operations and the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS) by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga has asserted that intelligence indicates certain politicians are attempting to exploit the ongoing protests for their agenda. “Whereas the protest is purely business and tax related, what our intelligence is gathering is that some politicians are trying to hijack the concerns from the business community to turn them into a countrywide civil uprising,” Police spokesperson,” said Enanga.
He stated that these unidentified politicians aim to escalate the predominantly Kampala-based protests nationwide. Their objective is to co-opt the protests into larger civil unrest, mobilizing masses to take to the streets in an attempt to effect governmental change. Enanga emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, reported the arrest of two individuals found burning car tires at Nabugabo Plaza during the morning hours. Previously, the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) had urged its members to suspend the protests following a meeting with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda.
KACITA Chairman Thadeus Musoke Nagenda mentioned that religious leaders from the Muslim faith had advised them to halt the protests until after the Eid celebrations.
**URN**
Post Views:
1,002
