Kampala traders have become impatient with the government’s delay to reopen arcades. In his last address, two weeks ago, President Museveni revealed how government scientists were looking into safer measures to ensure arcade businesses resume.
Museveni said that it would be risky to reopen arcades without conducting a proper survey because they are a high-risk zone since their design makes social distancing and control of entry and exit of people very difficult.
While addressing the media today, a section of city traders who were holding placards displaying their discontent about the current situation gave President Museveni a five-day ultimatum to open arcades or face massive protests.
The traders say they have lost too much during lockdown and government seems not to consider their troubles. They also asked government to engage their landlords so that they can give them a waiver on rent considering the circumstances that they have not been working.
However, landlords who were present at the briefing also said that they’re finding it hard to pardon tenants’ rent as it will make them unable to service their loans.
Kampala Woman MP aspirant Stella Nyanzi also joined the briefing before police invaded it and arrested her.