{UAH} Looting fears forces Tanzania business closure

Looting fears forces Tanzania business closure

STANDSTILL: Voting was relatively peaceful but many business owners said they would resume operations after being assured of peace. (COURTESY PICTURE)

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - Quick footed entrepreneurs and bigger enterprises are renting any available space in the vicinity of where Pope Francis will be holding ceremonies on the outskirts of central Kampala. The Pope is expected in Uganda at the end of November. 

Late last week, the TEC announced that former works minister, John John Pombe Magufuli, beat his main rival Edward Lowassa, a former prime minister leader, getting 58% of the vote compared to 40%.

According to a survey carried out by this paper since the election process commenced two weeks ago, most shops were still closed for the second day running with traders saying they would resume business after the announcement of the presidential results and they are assured of peace.

This caused a lot of inconveniences to Dar es Salaam residents who depended mostly on the CBD.

At Kariakoo, the city's main retail and wholesale centre many shops were closed while others were ajar with shopkeepers seen sitting outside in groups as they discussed how they voted and the results that have started to trickle in through the media. 

At Tandamti, Nyamwezi, Mchikichini and Narung'ombe streets, almost all shops were closed, however the situation was different at Congo Street where business was going as usual. Congo Street is reputed for its petty traders who throng the areas to cater for people of all walks of life from Dar es Salaam's suburbs.

Interview by East African Business Week, Muhidin Juma, a whole sale businessman at Kariakoo said many businessmen have been compelled to close their shops as they fear that disorder is likely to erupt during this period of elections.

According to him, businesspeople from neighbouring countries including Kenya, Uganda, Congo and Malawi closed their businesses earlier than their local counterparts.

"As you can see the situation, very few traders have remained in the area as many of them have decided to stay at home as they wait for the election period to pass before they start doing businesses," he said.

Josephat Mwasomele, a trader at Buguruni area in Ilala Municipality said he and his colleagues will not open their shops before the presidential results are announced and the President elect sworn in.

Adding that he and some of his colleagues were not very sure when they are going to open the shops, may be next week, two, three weeks or more all this is to make sure that they participate fully in all processes of getting good leaders to lead the nation and await for the president to be sworn in.

However the situation was much worse at Mwananyamala suburb area where almost all shops were closed. This paper saw small groups of people in the area discussing the now country's hot agenda of 'election results'.

Habibu Hashim, a trader and resident of the suburb confirmed that they were not prepared settle down and do anything we would rather die here until we are sure that the best leaders in bringing about change in the country are announced.

Hashim said that the situation in the country is still not unpredictable, we closed our shops since Sunday and we are afraid of possible violence that might occur and intimidate our businesses.

In her comments, Prisca Anton another trader at Mwananyamala said given that outbreak of violence is likely this year, it is not safe for them to open their shops.

Adding that in fact the situation here is extremely chilling it was in this context that they were not going to open their shops until they announce the fifth phase President and if it's possible, we will wait until he is sworn. 

By Timothy Kitundu, Sunday, November 01st, 2015

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

"But this I know, UPC believed and still believes in

very high education. We can call Obote all bad names we have, but the bottom line remains that he got more scholarships for Buganda than all previous Uganda leaders combined. That includes Sir Edward Mutesa, President Lule, President Binayisa, up to and into Ssabasajja Mutebi. Who all happen to be Baganda leaders." Mulindwa

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