Traders suffer losses as security forces continue deployment
The leadership of Kampala City traders has voiced worries that many shopkeepers are now idle as a result of potential customers being scared away by the increased security deployment that followed anti-graft protests.
Movement restrictions on the roads that lead to the parliament have seriously damaged businesses. The requirement for national identification cards for anybody accessing these roads and the area around parliament has significantly reduced customer flow for the surrounding businesses.
Mr. Thaddeus Musoke Nagenda, the chairperson of the Kampala City Traders Association, stated that some clients—particularly foreigners—are choosing to stay at home as a result of the current circumstances in the city.
He said that although few customers are there, certain traders—particularly those downtown—are operating.
He pointed out that during protests, traders typically suffer significant losses, which forces some of them to remain at home until things settle down. He asked the government to speak with the demonstrators and find a peaceful solution to their issues.
“No one can support corruption when people are overtaxed to raise money that is being stolen,” he said, underscoring the necessity for the government to make a commitment to combating corruption.
Security Authorities and young protestors engaged in confrontation on Tuesday as they sought to march to parliament in a demonstration against corruption. After being detained and brought before several courts, over fifty demonstrators were remanded to Luzira prison.
