Police have arrested the acting chairperson of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), Issa Ssekito, in connection with allegations of inciting violence linked to an ongoing traders’ protest in the city.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Spokesperson Kampala Metropolitan Police comfirmed the arrest stating that Ssekitto was taken into custody on Thursday by the Divisional Police Commander, Abraham Tukundane, to aid investigations into the unrest.
He added that the police are yet to record Ssekito’s statement and that appropriate charges will be preferred against him after the process.
“Police are yet to record his statement and will prefer appropriate charges against him,” Owoyesigyire stated.
Owoyesigyire also revealed that Ssekito’s arrest follows that of thirteen other suspects detained earlier over similar allegations, including assaulting law enforcement officers during the protests.
“The case file has been forwarded to the Resident State Attorney for perusal and legal advice,” he noted.
The police spokesperson appealed to members of the public to maintain calm and refrain from engaging in acts that could fuel tension or disrupt peace within the city.
Owoyesigyire further assured traders and city residents that police would remain vigilant, with deployments across major business areas to safeguard life, property, and public order.
Earlier this week, traders in Kampala’s central business district staged a strike by closing their shops to protest high operational costs.
The grievances include increased rent charges, soaring electricity bills, garbage collection fees, revenue levies on second-hand clothes sold by the kilo, and the growing number of street vendors competing for customers.
The traders are urging the government to intervene, saying landlords are imposing excessive rent hikes and unfairly charging tenants for basic amenities such as toilets within commercial buildings.
