Traders close shops over licence fees
A section of Lugazi central market shops that remained closed for the better part of Wednesday. PHOTO BY HERBERT MUGAGGA.
What you need to know:
Not fair. The traders say the increments are abnormal and unacceptable
BUIKWE.
Traders in Lugazi Town in Buikwe District have closed their shops protesting the new trading licence fees.
Lugazi Municipality recently issued a notice, informing traders that they would instead of Shs30,000 pay on average Shs160,000 because Lugazi had been upgraded from a town council to a municipality.
However, traders have challenged the municipal authorities to explain the ‘abnormal increment’.
“I have been paying 30,000 as trading licence fees , how do you expect me now to pay Shs160,000?’’ wondered Mr Joseph Semuvumbi, a trader in the municipality, adding it was wrong for the municipality to revise rates without consulting the stakeholders.
“Actually, I demand to know what method they used to reach the new rates,” said Mr Emmanuel Mukasa, another trader.
Most of the shops remained closed on Wednesday and negotiations led by Mr Simon Kabisa, the chairperson of Lugazi Traders Association, are ongoing.
Mr Vincent Okurut, the Lugazi Municipality town clerk asked the traders to remain calm and avoid chaos, insisting they have a way through.
“We are going to have a dialogue with their leaders so that we come out with a solution,” he said, adding let them open their shops as we negotiate.
Meanwhile, police on Tuesday arrested and charged one of the newly elected municipal councillors, Mr Steven Mugoya, over allegations of inciting traders to reject the new licence fees. Mr Mugoya, who was released on bail, denied all the charges.
