NUP Supporters in Canada protest funding of M7 misrule in Uganda

By Annet Ntambi

Ottawa: Ugandans living in Canada have urged the Canadian government to stop funding what they call Museveni misrule in Uganda.

The call was made Saturday during an open demonstration against human rights abuses in Uganda.

The mega demo which took place in Ottawa was organized under the auspices of the NUP Diaspora Ottawa Chapter.

Drawing hundreds of protesters who mainly included supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), the demonstration was sparked by the recent strike by Ugandan traders over the over taxation and brutal tax enforcement and collection by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).  

Beginning April 8, 2024, traders in Uganda who unite under the different organisations led by Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) and Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA) announced intentions to hold a nationwide shutdown of their businesses in protest against unfair taxation, in particular the excessive penalties and brutal enforcement relating to the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).

The traders argued that the government introduced the system without adequate sensitization of the traders on how it works, yet the tax body URA has gone ahead to slap very heavy RFRIS-related penalties including agency notices on the traders, which has crushed many businesses.

“It is surprising that when URA gets you in breach of a receipt worth Shs30,000 the penalty slapped on you is Shs6m, which we find illogical. This is on top of other unfair taxes like taxing clothes according to kilograms as opposed to real value; this is kicking us out of business, so we better not open since the businesses will soon die, anyway, if nothing is done to address the situation,” said KACITA Spokesperson Issa Sekitto in a recent interview.

Following the traders’ announcement of the strike, government tried to talk them out of the protests. However, the merchants rejected any proposals for peace talks, citing the ruling NRM government’s track record of indifference and perennial inaction towards the pains afflicting Ugandans at various levels and sectors.

Against this background, the traders on Monday April 15, 2024 commenced their strike following a few days of halting the same to allow members of the Muslim faith celebrate their ‘Eid al fitr without inconvenience.

The strike saw a total shutdown of businesses in Kampala, which spread to other parts of Uganda, with similar industrial action being reported in major towns including Mbale, Wakiso, Masaka, Mityana, Mukono, Kayunga, among others.

The traders, however, met with president Museveni who, following lengthy deliberations, momentarily suspended EFRIS penalties so as to make extensive consultations with government technocrats on the matter. The move, however, disheartened many traders who claim that the said technocrats have been engaged many times but have not helped them in any way.

Back to Canada protest

The traders’ plight attracted empathy from Ugandans of all walks of life, with many citing deteriorating standards of living and quality of life, especially coming off an increasing heavy tax burden across all sectors of the economy.

 Opposition parties including NUP, Uganda people’s congress (UPC), among others called for government redress on the matter; while sections of commentators urged the rest of Ugandans to stand in solidarity with the traders, since the problem is growing every single day across the economy.

And standing in solidarity with the oppressed and striking traders, the NUP Diaspora Ottawa Chapter, organized a demonstration in the Canadian capital, which event was also used to highlight other human rights abuses in the east African nation.

Hundreds of Ugandans who attended the demo held placards with placards calling for regime change over failure to address persistent complaints of human rights abuses including economic and political ‘persecution’.

Commonest among the SLOGANS of dissatisfaction included “Museveni must go”, “Free all political prisoners”, while others out rightly called upon the Canadian government to stop funding president Museveni’s regime.

The protesters argued that the funds extended to the government are used to perpetuate Museveni’s grip on the country, with indications now clear that he is positioning his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to succeed him as a culmination of the infamous Muhoozi project.

The issue of human rights abuses and government disregard for the citizens has remained a contentious matter in Uganda, with many analysts blaming it on increased corruption and nepotism in government appointments. These, experts say, have bred incompetence and impunity among civil servants and policy makers who perennially escape reprimand whenever in breach of public leadership laws simply because they are deeply connected to the appointing authority and other powers that be.