Police in Kampala is holding four traders who attempted to protest the garbage collection fees in Kampala.
The traders identified as Godfrey Katongole, Fahad Tamale, Swaib Kubuzibu and Mariam Kyabangi are currently being detained at the Central Police Station in Kampala.
Under their umbrella body, Kampala Arcade Traders Association, the trio was this morning matching to the City Hall to take a petition to Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago.
The match started from Nakivubo Miews before they were intercepted by police as they approached Mini Price.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango says the traders did not notify the police about their activities and that the four will be charged with incitement to violence and unlawful assembly.
In their petition, the traders want KCCA to collect garbage from the Arcades free of charge or pay the garbage collectors money instead of putting the burden on traders that pay taxes.
Last month, KCCA renewed contracts of three garbage collecting companies, Nabugabo Up Deal Ltd, Homklin Ltd and Kampala Solid Waste management Ltd for a period of one year.
They charge 30,000 shillings monthly to collect garbage from a trader, the feew that Katongole says are high considering that they pay taxes to KCCA, Uganda Revenue Authority and rent.
Traders also argue in their petition, that when President Museveni visited them early this year, he promised that they would stop paying fees for garbage collection, and therefore, want KCCA to respect the presidential directive and start collecting garbage freely.
Currently, KCCA collects garbage from only public places like schools, markets and hospitals.
It also has plans to collect garbage from low-income residential areas which are yet to be demarcated.
