Ugandagovernment has lost over 6 billion shillings during the three day traders strike in Kampala Capital City Authority. On Wednesday this week thousands of Traders inUgandaespecially inKampalaclosed their shops protesting against the high interest rates commercial banks charge on loans.

 The traders strike was peaceful although the police arrested some of the traders it suspected that they could turn violent.

 The traders spokesman, Issa Sekitto says that it’s the government which has lost in the strike as over 6 billion shillings have not bee collected during the strike.

 He explains that telecom companies like MTN Uganda, Uganda Telecom, WaridUgandaandOrangecollect millions of money every day from the calls traders make. Sekitto says that all these telecom companies pay taxes to the government so when the traders go on strike all the revenue the government collects on fuel stations, taxis, beverage companies, sugar factory among others also reduce.

The traders strike is ending today evening with a meeting of all traders to decide whether next week the start a violent strike.

Ugandais now among the countries inAfricaknown to have violent strikes in which many people are shot dead by the police and the army.

Millions of Ugandans who used to be so peaceful have slowly turned violent due to increasing levels of poverty, political discrimination, land grabbing executed by some of the people who have big connections in the army, police, courts of law and government.

By Moureen Nakyanzi