Kampala business woman Christine Nabukeera has given in to pressure from protesting tenants, accepting to serve a prior notice of three months before she increases rent fees on her city buildings.
The move had caused protests that rocked downtown Kampala for three consecutive days.
A deal between Nabukeera and her tenants was brokered by Kampala Metropolitan Commander Moses Kafeero.
The meeting which took place on Wednesday at Kampala Central Police Station, chaired by KMP Kafeero, and attended by Nabukeera herself as well as representatives of tenants, agreed that a three months’ notice be given to tenants before any rent increment was effected.
Nabukeera said after the meeting that she had conceded space on humanitarian grounds and warned tenants not to attempt attack her next time like they did on Monday, when she was surrounded in her vehicle, and forced to address rioting tenants.
“If they repeat it, I will take them on individually,” she warned.
Tadeo Mugerwa, chairman of tenants said it is important for landlords to listen to their clients, because it not only them who take loans from banks, but also smaller traders.
KMP spokesman Patrick onyango said a grace period of three months was ample time for tenants to organize themselves.
The Wednesday deal was arrived after tenants were engaged in running battles in downtown Kampala city after Nabukeera increased rent on one of her buildings, Auto Center Plaza.
Tenants burned tyres in the middle of the road attracting police and military to come in to pacify the city centre.
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