The Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA) is embroiled in a sharp dispute with the leadership of the Masaka City Traders Association (MACITA) over the registration of business operators in the Masaka area. 

On Wednesday, the proprietors of FUTA led by John Kabanda, the Federation President started the process of registering members in the Greater Masaka sub-region, as a way of establishing coordination structures in the area. 

According to Kabanda, they intend to spread the Federation across the country to ensure that the traders can have a common voice and enable them to participate constructively in decision-making processes that generate policies that impact their work.

However, the registration has faced strong resistance from the leadership of MACITA, whose Spokesperson Arafat Lutwama, says they are now mobilizing the business community to stay away from FUTA’s exercises, arguing that it is embedded with ulterior motives against them. 

He accuses Kabanda and his group of badmouthing the existing registered traders’ unions and seeking to operate behind the backs of the leaders of the local association, which raises suspicion about his intention.  

By Our Reporter

21 Nov 2024

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