Traders run to court
Police officers manhandle a trader during a protest by traders operating from Qualicel bus terminal after their shops were closed on the instruction of businessman Drake Lubega. According to traders, Mr Lubega is demanding that they pay him rent from November last year, to February this year yet they had paid the money to the late Charles Muhangi. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- A total of 292 traders on Tuesday sued Mr Lubega and Mr Mansur Matovu, seeking compensation over losses occasioned as a result of alleged continued persecution.
Kampala. Traders operating from Qualicel Bus Terminal in downtown Kampala yesterday engaged in running battles with police after their shops were sealed off on the instructions of Mr Drake Lubega who claims ownership of the building. Seven traders were arrested.
According to the traders, Mr Lubega is asking them to pay rent from November last year to February yet they had paid the money to late Charles Muhangi. They also claim that Mr Lubega gave them a 15-day ultimatum to pay the rent for March or face eviction.
Mr Ibrahim Mboowa, the vice chairperson of Kampala Arcaders Advocacy Forum, called on government to intervene, saying their attempts to peacefully resolve the issue with Mr Lubega have always been met with threats of eviction and intimidation.
“We want the government to come up with clear statement about this building and to show us the real owner. Mr Lubega should also compensate the owner of the shop at Qualicel bus terminal that caught fire as they were sealing the doors,” he said.
A tenant, who preferred anonymity, said they have been operating under fear since February. “These people have been threatening us with eviction. Today, we found our shops were sealed off, so we have now lost businesses. One shop also caught fire and was completely burnt and we do not know who will compensate the owner,” the tenant said.
Another tenant added: “We want government to give us an account number where we can deposit the money until the real owner of the building is known.”
Both Mr Lubega and officials from KCCA could not be reached for explanations.
Parliament also discussed the matter yesterday and demanded details on the ownership wrangles.
Traders run to court
A total of 292 traders on Tuesday sued Mr Lubega and Mr Mansur Matovu, seeking compensation over losses occasioned as a result of alleged continued persecution.
The group led by Mr Denis Muganga, in their lawsuit filed before the High Court Civil Division in Kampala, wondered why Mr Lubega and Mr Matovu have continued to harass them yet the Constitutional Court had ordered the management of Horizon Coaches Limited owned by late Charles Muhangi to manage the Qualicel Bus Terminal, Nabukeera plaza and Jamboree arcade.
The court documents indicate that the tenants have been paying rent of between Shs400,000 and Shs3m to Horizon Coaches Ltd until February when both Mr Lubega and Mr Matovu claimed ownership and management of the three buildings.
They add that they have no contractual obligation with the two businessmen and that the latter’s actions are unlawful, high handed and only intended to defraud them. They also want a permanent injunction restraining the defendants from further trespass onto their shops. Court has set April 8 to hear the case.
