Police have said they have got wind of plans by politicians who have allegedly hired goons to attack Kampala traders who refuse to take part in the ongoing protests against the implementation of e-receipting system by URA.
Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire said on Monday that information they have is that having realized that the protests last week were largely not successful, politicians who have since hijacked the move and have organized another massive demonstration beginning today.
“We have got information that the planned demonstration entails closing shops and not allowing anyone open their shops. We have been informed that politicians have hired goons to beat up traders who don’t want to participate in the demonstration. The goons have been hired to beat whoever opens their shop during the demonstration,” Owoyesigyire.
He however warned that police and the army have deployed heavily to protect those who would wish to open their shops.
“We are appealing to traders not to force those who don’t want to be part of the demonstration to open their shops. We warn those who plan to attack shops that we are ready for them.”
He said the police and UPDF are ready to give protection to the traders who will opt to have their shops open as the demonstration goes on.
Police said those who want to demonstrate have a right to do so but warned it is illegal to force those who don’t want to participate in the protest.
Ugandan traders have since last week locked their shops protesting Uganda Revenue Authority’s enforcement of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution(EFRIS) system during assessment.