Kampala traders have reopened their shops and called off a two-day strike after a meeting with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who pledged to address their concerns through Cabinet and other government agencies.
The strike, which began Tuesday over high taxes and trade-related policies, led to the arrest of 17 traders accused of unlawful procession. Sixteen were later released on bail, while one was remanded pending interpretation in court. Their release paved the way for the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) to resume talks with the Prime Minister at Statistics House on Wednesday.
During the meeting, traders presented eight key grievances, including the controversial weight tax system on textiles, delays in container clearance, inflated customs valuations, the mandatory Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS), and the growing participation of foreign nationals in retail trade.
Nabbanja assured traders that their issues would be taken seriously, promising immediate interventions and longer-term Cabinet discussions. She said the weight tax would be presented to Cabinet on Monday for possible amendment, while a joint six-member committee of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials and traders was formed to investigate clearance delays, with findings due in one week.
On foreign nationals in retail trade, the Prime Minister scheduled a follow-up meeting next Tuesday with relevant ministries to ensure enforcement of existing laws. URA also clarified that customs valuation challenges often stem from forged invoices but pledged to honor genuine documentation.
Regarding the pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) system, URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi said earlier delays were linked to system upgrades that have since been resolved, reaffirming that fees would remain charged per container. He further urged traders to report officer misconduct through official channels.
Acting KACITA chairperson Issa Sekitto confirmed the strike had ended, saying, “We have agreed to reopen our shops on condition that all resolutions made are implemented.”
The government’s response in the coming days will determine whether the resolutions restore lasting calm between traders and authorities in the capital.
