A wave of protest has hit the city as traders from the business community and workers at the Energy Center have staged a strike over what they describe as an unjustified increase in garbage collection fees. The strike, which began earlier today, has disrupted operations and attracted attention from local authorities and national leaders alike.

Tension was palpable this morning outside the Energy Center, where dozens of traders, vendors, and energy sector workers gathered in a peaceful demonstration. Their primary demand: an urgent intervention by Local Government Minister Victoria Kabanda to address the sharp hike in waste management costs, which they feel contradict the existing business license charges.

Augustine Lwanga Busiiwa, Chairman of the Energy Center Community, explained that a recent meeting was convened to find a way forward. “The high garbage collection fees are unfair and do not align with the fees we already pay for licenses,” he said.

John Kabanda, President of the Federation of Uganda Traders’ Associations (FUTA), voiced similar concerns, emphasizing that the workers deserve justice and transparency in how the fees are being handled by authorities.

On the other hand, Semwogerere Hassan, a supervisor at Nabugabo, defended the fees, stating that they have been legally approved by the city authorities and are justified.

In response to the protests, leaders from the business community have officially petitioned the Ministry of Local Government. They are urging Minister Victoria Kabanda to investigate the fee hike and facilitate a resolution that promotes fairness and transparent waste management practices.