Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Winnie Nankya Jatiko, has granted non-cash bail to 16 city traders who were arrested earlier this week during a protest in which they closed their shops. The traders had taken to the streets to express their frustration over multiple challenges affecting their businesses, including high taxes, rising rental costs, strict enforcement of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS), and increased foreign involvement in retail.
The protest disrupted business in the city, prompting authorities to intervene. The arrested traders are facing charges of being a common nuisance, highlighting the tension between city authorities and small business operators struggling to stay afloat in the face of economic pressures.
During the bail hearing, Magistrate Nankya Jatiko allowed the traders to be released on non-cash bail, giving them an opportunity to continue addressing their grievances while awaiting further legal proceedings. Many of the traders expressed relief at their release and vowed to continue advocating for fair business conditions.
The demonstration underscores growing concerns among local traders about the impact of taxation, rising operational costs, and competition from foreign retailers on small and medium-sized enterprises. Observers say the protest is part of a broader call for reforms that support the sustainability and growth of city traders, who form a critical part of Uganda’s urban economy.
