By Kabuye Ronald
A significant shift in Kampala’s business landscape has emerged as a section of traders and entrepreneurs have officially broken away from the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), citing deep-rooted leadership challenges and irreconcilable differences. The splinter group has since formed a new umbrella body, the National Entrepreneurs and Traders Association (NETA).
NETA’s offices are now open and fully operational at Yiga Chambers Building on Matia Mulumba Road in Old Kampala. In a bold move, the new association has appointed Dr. Thadeus Musoke Nagenda, the former KACITA chairman, as its founding Chairperson.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Musoke revealed that internal political biases and leadership discord within KACITA played a pivotal role in his resignation. He cited concerns raised by some KACITA members over his political affiliation with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), which he says were used unfairly to question his ability to lead impartially.
“Despite consulting the KACITA executive before joining active politics, I faced backlash from within. Some members felt my political involvement compromised the association’s neutrality, which was never the case,” Musoke explained.
Dr. Musoke emphasized that NETA is not a rival to KACITA, but a complementary platform designed to amplify traders’ voices and bridge gaps in representation.
“NETA will cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure that traders have a unified voice to tackle the challenges they face,” he said.
NETA’s mission is ambitious yet inclusive. According to Musoke, the association will focus on; Advocating for favorable trade policies, Providing tax compliance education and support, Facilitating access to finance and markets, Offering capacity-building and consultancy services, Promoting trader security and welfare, Mediating conflicts among traders, Conducting market research and Creating a platform for dialogue with regulators and policymakers
Musoke invited entrepreneurs and traders across Uganda especially those feeling underrepresented or sidelined to join the new association. He noted that NETA will work in tandem with government development programs, aiming to enhance cooperation rather than oppose state initiatives.
As NETA begins its journey, the move marks a new chapter for Uganda’s business community one where traders hope for more inclusive leadership, unbiased representation, and practical support in their entrepreneurial journey.
