Grapevine

Traders hit back at minister who told them to 'grow pineapples'

A section of striking traders yesterday lashed out at the Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs State Minister Kabuye Kyofatogobye over remarks directing them to go back to villages and grow pineapples and coffee, instead of disturbing the government with strikes.

The traders, who described the Minister’s remarks as dismissive and arrogant, in retaliation called him a beggar who, like some of his colleagues, kneel before the President asking for perks and bailouts.

They reminded the minister that their entity is one of the biggest taxi payers from where he draws his salaries.

“We are not beggars like most of these ministers whose survival is tied to kneeling to the President every time. The minister should know that. We are trying to fight for what belongs to us. We survived Covid for two straight years. How about weeks?” Mr Ushiin Ssaka, a trader at Kiseka Market, said.

“Kampala ministers have become brokers now, and we advised them to leave the issue of traders to the ministry concerned. We are tired of brokers in this government,” he added.