Maize traders in Luweero District have staged a sit-down protest at PRO Industries Ltd in Ndibuluungi, Butuntumula Sub-county, demanding payment of up to Shs3.5 billion they claim the company owes them for maize supplied over the past two months.
The traders have parked their trucks at the factory entrance along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, blocking access to the premises and disrupting operations as they demand payment.
Some traders claim to have supplied hundreds of tonnes of maize to the company, while others say the protesting suppliers collectively delivered more than 4,000 tonnes.
The traders allege that company officials have repeatedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations for the delayed payments despite their demands for settlement.
“Which investigator is this who can’t pay suppliers? What did you come to do here? If they have no money, they should give us our maize,” one angry trader said.
Another supplier claimed that the traders sold their maize to the company at lower prices, but market prices have since increased. The supplier called on the company either to pay them based on the current market price or return the maize.
“We supplied them at lower prices, but the prices have currently gone up. They should pay us at the current price or refund our maize,” the supplier said.
Another trader said the protesting suppliers had delivered about 4,000 tonnes of maize and were collectively owed approximately Shs3.5 billion.
“We supplied 4,000 tonnes of maize and they owe us Shs3.5 billion. They should pay us,” the trader said.
The traders said the payment delays have left many of them struggling to repay loans and meet other financial obligations after spending heavily to purchase and transport the maize.
They have vowed to remain at the factory until their grievances are addressed, insisting that they will not move their trucks or leave the premises without payment or a clear settlement.
Police have been deployed at the factory to maintain order and prevent the protest from escalating.
The traders maintain that their action is peaceful but say they were forced to protest after waiting for more than two months for payment.
They are also calling on the Government and district authorities to intervene and help resolve the dispute.
PRO Industries had not, by the time of publication, publicly responded to the traders’ allegations or explained the circumstances surrounding the delayed payments.
