City traders and landlords continue to stay apart in bid to strike a deal over rent arrears due to Covid-19.

Traders have protested move by landlords to demand them to pay for the period they have not been working while observing the Covid-19 restrictions.

Several meetings between traders and landlords have failed to yield fruition. Some city shopping arcades owners have locked out traders.

Traders through their representatives in Parliament have asked government to reign on landlords who have categorically refused to listen to them.

City landlord Hamis Kiggundu has come out to forgive his tenants rent of three months. Several other owners including Drake Lubega have cited bank loans among other impediments as stumbling block to talks.

Drake wants commitment from government over banks. Government Chief Whip confirmed to Parliament that President Yoweri Museveni had asked landlords to take caution while demanding arrears.

Nankabirwa told the house: “The President will not instruct landlords not to demand arrears but that there is need for provision of low interest credit facilities for people to be able to clear arrears.”

Members again questioned government to rein in on @URAuganda who they claim are demanding tax arrears.

Speaker @RebeccaKadagaUG also asked for information about the @EUinUG grant to government meant to support countries affected by #COVID19UG.

Kadaga tasked the Chief Whip to present the issue before Cabinet for a solution.