A cross-section of Kampala arcade traders have today vowed to go to the streets and hold massive protests over continued lockdown, a measure put in place to stem the spread of Coronavirus. The traders say President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has five days in which to re-open the arcades or face the massive protests.

The traders were joined Makerere University lecturer Dr Stella Nyanzi near Nakasero Market in Kampala to air out their discontent at the continued lockdown.

The traders also want their landlords give them waivers on their rental dues given the prevailing conditions where they have been unable to work for over three months.

Group arrested

Meanwhile, Police is holding Makerere University Researcher, Dr Stella Nyanzi over the illegal demonstration. Nyanzi was picked near Nakasero market were together with two others had gone to mobilize arcade traders to protest the continuous lockdown on their businesses.

Nyanzi, who has expressed interest in contesting the Kampala Woman Member of Parliament position, says it’s wrong for the government to continue denying the people working from arcades to resume their businesses for the fear of the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking to reporters at the Uganda Media Centre, Patrick Onyango, the spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police said, it’s fruitless for any group to think that they can demonstrate to force the government to reopen their businesses. He cautioned traders not to be used by politicians whose only aim is to advance their political interests. 

Onyango said Nyanzi together with the colleagues are going to be charged in court with two counts; incitement and engaging in acts that are likely to cause the spread of the coronavirus.

People especially those whose businesses remain under lockdown, have increasingly become agitated with the government. Some have questioned the rationale behind opening some businesses and leaving others closed yet all of them deal with the same people.

Boda Boda cyclists on Monday dragged the government to court to compel it to lift a ban on their operations.

Currently, Uganda’s coronavirus cases stand at 977. Of these, 904 people have recovered.