KACITA says no agreement with govt to end strike

Finance minister Matia Kasaija had earlier claimed that the government and traders had struck a deal to reopen the shops

Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) has disputed reports by the Ministry of Finance that they have agreed to call off the strike declared by traders over taxation policies.

While the ministry says they held a meeting with all stakeholders and agreed to call off the strike, KACITA chairperson Thadeus Musoke says nothing substantial was agreed to in the said meeting and the demonstration still stands.

In a statement released by the ministry of finance planning and economic development and signed by the minister for finance Matia Kasaijja, there was a meeting between the ministry of finance, ministry of trade and the traders.

In this meeting, the minister alludes that "it was agreed that traders shall immediately resume normal business as the government concludes internal consultations and further engage with the leadership of traders".

In the same statement, the minister says these "consultations shall be concluded within two weeks".

But these claims have been refuted by Mr Musoke as his traders association, which by extension streams to the rest of the traders countrywide.

While he acknowledges sitting in the said meeting, the KACITA chairperson says nothing substantial was agreed upon.

"The meeting's resolutions were rejected by the traders," said Musoke.

Subsequently a meeting was organised to address traders on the resolution of the said meeting.

In a meeting, attended by the State Minister for Kampala, the RCC, traders and other leaders, traders unanimously agreed to keep their shops closed until they meet President Museveni.

"The majority of people have rejected the reopening of the shops," Musoke said.

These hope to meet president Museveni who they believe has answers to their queries.

The meeting has been scheduled for Friday, April 19.

According to the minister, the President expects about 100 to 200 people.

"The President, traders requested to meet him and he has accepted," revealed Kabuye Kyofatogabye, the state minister for Kampala.

Traders have now been directed to do COVID tests from Mulago ahead of the meeting.