Kampala, Uganda – Sixteen city traders who were arrested earlier this week during a protest over business hardships have been granted bail.
Buganda Road Grade One Magistrate, Winnie Nankya Jatiko, on Tuesday granted the traders non-cash bail after they were arraigned in court.
The group was arrested during a demonstration in which they closed their shops and marched through the streets to express frustration over what they described as unbearable business conditions.
Their grievances included high taxes, escalating rental costs, the strict enforcement of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS), and what they see as growing foreign dominance in retail trade.
The case has highlighted simmering tensions between government revenue authorities and the business community, many of whom argue that the current tax and regulatory environment is pushing them out of business.
The matter was adjourned to a later date as investigations continue.
