Traders dealing in agro-chemicals and seeds in Container Village, operating under the Nakivubo Agro Dealers Association (NADA), have called on the government to review its planned compensation for traders who lost property in floods that affected several buildings in Kampala’s central business area.

The traders, led by Mayanja Joy Kato, addressed a press conference in Kampala, demanding that the compensation process be halted until their concerns are addressed and those who also suffered losses are considered.

They said compensation lists that had been pinned in several arcades, indicating traders cleared for payment, were removed before they could verify the beneficiaries, leaving them uncertain about whether they had been included despite losing their property in the floods.

The traders want the government to review the compensation plan to ensure that all eligible victims are identified and considered before payments are made.

Godfrey Katongole, who heads the Uganda National Traders Association (UNATA), appealed to the Internal Security Organisation (ISO), which is handling the verification process, to give the affected traders an opportunity to present their concerns before compensation begins.

However, the press conference was cut short after a group of youths led by Benon Mukiibi, who identified himself as a leader of the Federation of Uganda Traders Associations (FUTA), disrupted the meeting.

Mukiibi reportedly questioned the authority of those who had convened the press conference, arguing that FUTA had already completed the verification of traders affected by the floods.

The dispute comes as the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister, is expected to begin compensating more than 700 traders this week following the release of 20 billion shillings earmarked for the exercise.

The affected traders are now calling for greater transparency and inclusiveness in the verification and compensation process to ensure that all eligible flood victims receive assistance.

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