Police have said they have information that a section of politicians are trying hard to hijack the ongoing protest by Kampala traders against the implementation of e-receipting system by URA.
A section of traders, especially in Kikuubo have closed their shops protesting the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System(EFRIS).
However, according to police, intelligence information has indicated that some politicians are trying all possible ways to take advantage of the ongoing protests for their own selfish interests.
“Whereas the protest is purely business and tax related, what our intelligence is gathering is that some politicians ate trying to hijack the concerns from the business community to turn them into a countrywide civil uprising,” Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said on Monday.
He said that the intention of the politicians he didn’t name is to ensure the protest which is largely in Kampala spread out all over the country as a way of settling its scores with government.
Enanga explained that by hijacking the protest, politicians seek to turn it into a civil unrest that will force large crowds pour onto streets in a bid to cause government change but warned traders against allowing to be used by “these opportunists.”
“It is something(hijacking) we will not allow. We want to encourage business community to stay clear and avoid politicking . They should not allow politicians expand it into political demonstrations that can turn into a countrywide uprising,” Enanga warned.
Earlier, Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire had indicated that they had arrested two individuals who were found burning car tyres at Nabugabo Plaza.
Earlier, traders body, Kampala City Traders Association(KACITA) had asked its members to halt the protests after having a meeting with tax body URA and Private Sector Foundation Uganda.
KACITA chairman, Thadeus Musoek Nagenda on Monday said they had been asked by religious leaders from the Muslim faith to halt the protests until the Eid celebrations that mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan are done.