KAMPALA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Traders in the Ugandan capital city of Kampala on Wednesday closed their shops after a scheduled meeting with the country's President Yoweri Museveni to discuss their grievances was called off.
Along the main commercial streets in downtown Kampala, some traders chose to open as usual, while others closed their shops and sat outside or remained at home.
Issa Ssekitto, the spokesperson of Kampala City Traders Association, an umbrella body for traders, told Xinhua by telephone that the traders are protesting against several issues, including the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).
Under EFRIS, each trader is requested to buy an Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) that can issue e-invoices but also ensures transactions are automatically transmitted to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), in a way that URA aims to combat tax evasion and digitalize the management.
Traders claimed EFRIS was unfair and were also complaining about the costs of acquiring the EFD, which won't be provided by URA, according to Ssekitto.
Other grievances include the participation of manufacturers in retail trade and the tax charged on imported garments.
Ssekitto said several scheduled meetings with President Museveni to discuss their concerns have been called off under unclear circumstances.
Traders were scheduled to meet Museveni Wednesday, but the meeting was postponed to a later unstated date, according to Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, minister of State for National Guidance.
Kabbyanga said the president is open to discussion and at an appropriate time he will meet the traders.
In April and May, Museveni met the traders who agreed to end their protest and reopen shops as discussions regarding their grievances continued. ■