Police has blocked members Kampala city traders’ association KACITA together with the rest of the business community from accessing the Prime Minister’s office to complain about the closure of over 11 buildings belonging to businessman Mansur Matovu alias Young.
Come of the arcades that were closed include; Namaganda plaza, MM plaza, Jumbo Arcade, Zai plaza among others. Traders say they are making losses during this time of closure.
According to KACITA leaders, they first tried to speak to the minister for Kampala Betty Kamya in vain. They then called the trade minister who instead referred them to the Prime Minister.
On Wednesday, businessman young closed 11 arcades in protest of court’s decision to grant the late Charles Muhangi ownership of some properties contested for by the late rally ace and businessmen Drake Lubega and Young.
Prior to his mysterious death, Muhangi had received official ownership of Qualicel Bus Terminal, Qualicel building and Nabukera Plaza, leaving the two men angry. Now, Young says he wants to sell his buildings.
Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko who was moving with the aggrieved traders, advised them to break the padlocks and start working as the closure is unfair.
The businessmen and women blame government for not passing the Landlord and Tenant Bill into an act as this would have saved them. Under the current law, the landlord has a right to close and sell his houses at any time he so wishes to do so.
By press time, KACITA leaders had been asked to head to the Central Police station for a dialogue with police heads.
As Lubega and Young bicker for the properties with the family, the late Muhangi’s widow is also fighting with his older children to be the care taker of the property.
Patience Mbabazi run to the high court for help to assist her in the takeover process.
