On Wednesday, traders in Kampala, the bustling capital of Uganda, shut their shops in a pronounced protest after a scheduled meeting with President Yoweri Museveni to address their concerns was abruptly called off. The closure of shops underscored growing discontent over several pressing issues, including the controversial Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).
Along the main commercial arteries of downtown Kampala, the scene was one of contrasts. Some traders opted to continue their business as usual, while others shuttered their premises, choosing instead to sit outside or stay at home. The atmosphere was palpably tense as traders expressed their dissatisfaction with current policies.
Issa Ssekitto, the spokesperson for the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), conveyed the traders’ frustrations in a telephone interview with Xinhua. The core of the discontent revolves around EFRIS, a system implemented to curb tax evasion and digitise revenue management by mandating traders to purchase Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs). These devices not only issue e-invoices but also ensure that all transactions are automatically reported to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Traders argue that EFRIS imposes an unfair financial burden, particularly as the URA has declined to provide the necessary EFDs. “The costs associated with acquiring these devices are prohibitive,” lamented Ssekitto. The traders’ grievances extend beyond EFRIS, encompassing the encroachment of manufacturers into the retail trade and the onerous taxes imposed on imported garments.
Repeated attempts to engage with President Museveni have been thwarted, with several scheduled meetings cancelled under murky circumstances. The latest postponement came on Wednesday, with Minister of State for National Guidance Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga announcing that the meeting had been deferred to an unspecified future date. Kabbyanga assured that President Museveni remains willing to engage in dialogue with the traders at an appropriate time.
This is not the first instance of such unrest. In April and May, traders agreed to suspend their protests and reopen shops following meetings with Museveni, during which discussions on their grievances were set to continue. The postponement of the recent meeting, however, has reignited tensions and led to the current closures.
The impasse presents a significant challenge for the Ugandan government, which must balance the imperative of effective tax collection with the legitimate concerns of the trading community. As Kampala’s traders await a rescheduled meeting with the president, the streets of the capital bear silent witness to their mounting frustration.
