By Sharon Basilika | Mukono
Mukono mayor Robert Peter Kabanda has ordered the immediate suspension of property tax collectors accused of threatening traders and demanding more than they owed.
Kabanda issued the directive after hearing complaints from traders’ representatives at his office. He instructed municipal officials to keep the collectors off duty until they had been trained and presented before him.
Mukono traders’ chairperson Vincent Lukwago said the alleged harassment could lead to confrontations if the municipality failed to act. He also accused some council employees of taking money from traders on the promise of settling their tax bills but failing to pass it on to the municipality.
Trader Enesifori Mugabi told the meeting that collectors had demanded payments he did not owe.
Municipal finance officer Badrub Kibirige cautioned that cancelling the company’s contract could cost the municipality because the firm had already carried out some of the work under the agreement.
Acting deputy resident district commissioner Muzamir Wamundu warned that the complaints could lead to protests if left unresolved. Traders asked the municipality to tighten supervision of its collectors.
