Several city traders including former Makerere University Researcher and Kampala Woman MP hopeful Stella Nyanzi Dr Stella Nyanzi, have been arrested in Kampala as they attempted to address a news conference about closure of arcades occasioned by the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
The group led by the Godfrey Katongole, the chairman of the Kampala City Arcaders Association had started addressing journalist when a joint force of the police and LDU rounded them up.
They are demanding that government clearly states its position on payment of rent arrears to compel all landlords to forego arrears for the last 3 months when they were not working.
By press time, the team had been taken to Kampala Central Police Station (CPS).
In his last nation address about COVID-19, President Museveni revealed that government scientists were still weighing on how safe they can reopen arcades.
According to Museveni, the scientists urged that arcades present extremely high risk because of the design that makes social distancing and control of entry and exit of people very difficult.
Government there after decided to conduct a pilot study where only two arcades Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza and Park View Shopping Centre were allowed to operate so that they can assess adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
However, arcade owners insist that they are ready to implement all the set SOPs.
