Foreign investors should be stopped from operating retail businesses, the Lango Parliamentary Group, a loose coalition of lawmakers from Lango sub region, has said.
Speaking at a recent public meeting held at Uganda Technical College in Lira town, the MPs said government needs to urgently develop trade regulations and investment codes that will regulate the operations of foreign businesses and ensure they do not compete for opportunities with locals.
The resolution comes at the backdrop of clashes between Ugandans and Asian traders in Lira municipality following the death of 11-year-old, Dickens Okello, a pupil of Alito Primary School in Kole district, last month.
The child died in an attack allegedly masterminded by two Asian nationals, later identified as Vayas Fravey and Madmay Gaga, both cotton traders at Odokomit Ginnery in Lira town.
According to the deceased’s sibling, his brother was trapped by barbed wire while running away from the businessmen who were chasing after them in a white double cabin pickup with tinted glasses. He said the two men, who first lured them with biscuits and money, strangled his brother.
In the aftermath, a group of youths waged attacks against Asian traders prompting them to close their businesses in Lira town. Police used live bullets and tear gas to quell the protests.
A number of supermarkets in Lira town are run by foreigners mainly from Asia. Several others are involved in route sales, produce and livestock production. Under route sales, Asian traders move with a truck loaded with assorted items like sugar, cooking oil, and soap, which they sell to traders in rural areas.
But Dokolo South MP Felix Okot Ogong said they are concerned about the high rate of harassment, abuse and underpayment of casual workers employed by foreign traders managing various businesses within Lango Sub region.
Dokolo North MP Paul Amoru said foreign traders must engage in value addition, which involves manufacturing but not retail. This is the third time leaders of Lango are passing the same resolution seeking a ban on foreigners engaging in retail businesses.
Two weeks ago, Lira District Council passed a resolution banning all foreigners from operating petty businesses including route sales. Lango Cultural Foundation, a cultural Institution of Lango headed by Yosam Odur, the Lango Paramount chief, recently passed the same resolution.
Joseph Olet Magezi, the head of Arak Ocola Iyam-Yam clan welcomed the decision by the legislators and urged them to negotiate with government to allow payment of a blood compensation for the 11-year-old Dickens Okello. In Lango Culture, blood compensation is referred to as Culu Kwor, a payment which is done by the accused to comfort the family of the deceased.