Traders in Mukwano Shopping Arcade stage a protest and close their stores due to rent arrears.

Traders in Kampala’s Mukwano Shopping Arcade yesterday protested against unrelenting demands for rent for the month of July, claiming they were unable to work due to the Covid-19 shutdown.
The tenants claimed they were being forced to pay rent for July even though the stores were closed at the time, and they requested President Museveni to intervene before things got out of hand.

“Can you really pay that money if they tell you to pay for a month you didn’t work for? It is not at all equitable. We are requesting that if the management refuses to assist us, President Museveni step in to save us. One of the renters remarked, “We beg the president to come out and support the traders.”

Three shopkeepers were arrested for allegedly inciting violence, according to Kampala Metropolitan police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire.

He stated that they are currently being held in the Central Police Station, and he urged the arcade’s leadership to work with the tenants to find long-term solutions to the rent issue.