KACITA Halts Planned Demonstrations

The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) has called off the planned traders’ demonstrations scheduled for Monday, April 8, 2024.

Thadeus Musoke Naggenda, the Chairperson of KACITA, announced that all traders in Kampala are free to open their businesses and serve their customers without fear. He urged traders not to succumb to intimidation from individuals claiming to be association leaders inciting strikes.

Naggenda assured traders of tight security provided by the police to safeguard those opening their shops amidst potential risks.

Addressing the media at Central Park Hotel in Bukoto, Kampala, on Sunday, April 7, 2024, Naggenda disclosed that KACITA had received numerous petitions and complaints from members and the public regarding the alleged demonstrations. He emphasized KACITA’s commitment to dialogue for advocating fair trade policies and conducive trading environments.

He revealed that KACITA had engaged with the organizers of the demonstration, leading to its suspension as a gesture of goodwill towards dialogue and the upcoming Eid al Fitr celebrations.

Naggenda stressed the importance of peaceful and prosperous trading, especially during significant events like Eid al Fitr. He called on members planning the demonstrations to refrain from intimidating traders who choose not to participate.

While acknowledging concerns about Chinese investors’ dominance affecting local traders, Naggenda urged the government to swiftly address these issues, emphasizing their solvability.