Uganda: Flood-Affected Traders Threaten to Camp At PM's Office Over Shs 20 Billion

• Flood-affected traders plan to camp at the Prime Minister's Office starting October 28, demanding Shs 20 billion in compensation.
• They claim President Yoweri Museveni promised this compensation for their businesses and property destroyed by floods.
• Traders report fulfilling all requirements and waiting past a two-week deadline, but no payments have been disbursed.
• They emphasize their protest will be peaceful and have urged security personnel not to use force against them.
• The group seeks clarity on the fund release date, stating the delay has worsened their financial difficulties.

The traders are seeking the disbursement of Shs 20 billion, a sum they contend was pledged by President Yoweri Museveni to mitigate the severe financial impact of flood damage on their enterprises.

Traders whose commercial properties and merchandise were devastated by recent floods have announced their intention to stage a prolonged protest at the Office of the Prime Minister. Their primary demand is the immediate release of Shs 20 billion, a sum they assert was personally pledged by President Yoweri Museveni as compensation for their extensive losses. The affected business owners report significant financial ruin, with their goods and premises severely damaged by the floodwaters, yet the promised payments have not materialized.

Beginning Wednesday, October 28, the traders plan to bring mattresses to the office of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, intending to remain there overnight and continuously until their demands are fully addressed. They have publicly appealed to security forces, urging them to refrain from using any form of coercion against the demonstrators, emphasizing that their planned action will be entirely peaceful. The group stated their purpose is not to incite unrest but solely to secure the funds they believe are rightfully owed to them following the destruction of their livelihoods.

The dispute centers on a compensation package of Shs 20 billion, which traders claim was promised to them by President Yoweri Museveni. This pledge was reportedly made to assist those who incurred substantial damage to their businesses and property as a direct result of the floods. Despite this alleged commitment, the traders have yet to receive any of the promised funds, leading to mounting frustration and financial distress.

Shifra Namatovu, who chairs the Farmers Centre and is one of the affected traders, confirmed that the group has diligently complied with all instructions and requirements communicated to them regarding the compensation process. She expressed disappointment that, despite their adherence to all stipulated procedures, no progress has been made towards the disbursement of the funds. Furthermore, a specific two-week period that had been designated for the payments to be processed has now expired without any money being released to the victims.

In response to the prolonged delay and lack of payment, the traders are now calling upon all other affected business owners to unite in a collective effort to demand the promised compensation. They have declared their unwavering resolve to occupy the Prime Minister's Office until their concerns are adequately addressed and the funds are disbursed. This unified front aims to exert pressure on the government to act decisively.

The core of their current demand is for the government to provide a clear and definitive timeline for the release of the Shs 20 billion. The traders argue that the ongoing delay has only exacerbated the severe financial hardships they have endured since their businesses were destroyed by the floods, making timely intervention crucial for their recovery and survival.

The planned occupation of a high-level government office by flood-affected traders highlights a significant breakdown in trust and communication between the government and its citizens. The alleged failure to honor a presidential pledge, coupled with the prolonged suffering of those who lost their livelihoods, underscores the critical need for transparent and efficient disaster relief mechanisms. The traders' desperate measure reflects the profound economic impact of the floods and the subsequent inability of affected individuals to rebuild their businesses.

Their insistence on a peaceful demonstration, while appealing for non-interference from security forces, also draws attention to the right to protest and the importance of addressing citizen grievances through dialogue rather than force. The resolution of this dispute will not only impact the immediate financial stability of the affected traders but also set a precedent for how future government promises and disaster relief efforts are managed and perceived by the public.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post.