Business fraternities in Patongo town council, Agago district are demanding compensation worth 19.9million shillings after their business was disrupted and destroyed by the demonstration staged a few days ago in the district by the locals.
Angry locals who were frustrated by the police operation in the district decided to take arrogantly by demolishing businesses belonging to the foreign business people who were alleged to have been tribe-mates to the police officers who were recalled to the police headquarters recently by the regional office of the Professional Standard Unit (PSU) of police in Gulu city.
Byaruhanga Nelson, a business person who originates from the Busoga region and operates a chapatti making business says that the damages caused on their businesses have impacted negatively since they depend entirely on it for living.
Nelson added that a preliminary survey they have done shows that their properties destroyed is worth 16.9million shillings.
These business communities under their umbrella, ‘ANAM’ are now demanding the district to compensate them for the loss they had been forced to meet were a number of stales and small businesses including small shops that were broken into and costly items taken.
They further tasked the RDC to level the grounds for business as some of their colleagues are bullied and forced to leave the business indirectly.
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Agago district resident commissioner, Andrew Onyug disclosed in a meeting held with the business community whose properties were destroyed that the government is not responsible for the damages caused.
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He, however, revealed that the people who involved themselves in the destruction will be the ones held accountable for the damages caused during the demonstration.
“It was very unfortunate for the tragedy to happen, and I really apologize on behalf of the communities upon the destruction caused,” Andrew added.
He further lectured the locals on Article 19 and 29 Clause 2, of Uganda’s constitution, which says Freedom of expression with its underlying tenets and the regional and international provisions that allow one to reside where he/she finds comfortability.
“People can’t be a refugee in their own country,” Andrew explains.
He urged the business community to lodge complaints to police for formalities and identify the people who were involved in the demolition of their properties with evidence-based so that they are dealt with accordingly.
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