Uganda Times has established that people operating businesses in the market are not sleeping in these markets and the 4-meter spacing for the social distancing is not visible where vendors have remained congested as many people can assembly in one stall while buying.
Tororo and Mbale Central Markets have continued to operate normally despite the directives by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on controlling public gatherings to control the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID -19) pandemic.
The president on Monday asked market vendors dealing in food items to camp and stay in the markets for 14 days or stay home if they cannot follow his directive. He also ordered that there should be spacing of four meters on all sides for both the buyer and the seller.
However, in Mbale and Tororo Central markets the situation is different as they have failed to adjust the spacing at markets to protect both vendors and buyers from being at risk of contracting COVID-19 as per the presidential guidelines.
The Uganda Times has established that people operating businesses in the market are not sleeping in these markets and the 4-meter spacing for the social distancing is not visible where vendors have remained congested as many people can assembly in one stall while buying.
In Tororo central market, there are washing facilities at both markets gates but no one is there to ensure that everyone who enters the market washes the hands.
The vendors say they cannot sleep in the market yet they have families at home they are supposed to take care of.
Asuman Mudebo, a butcher in Mbale central market says that the president should leave them to work as they go back to their homes since they don’t have where to sleep in the markets and that their families need them.
Annet Namozo, a fruits vendor in Mbale Market says that she cannot sleep in the market since she is the bread winner of her family.
Mbale central Market Chairperson, Ayubu Madoi says that the vendors can’t sleep in the market since space is not enough for them to spend nights there. He says that if people decided to sleep in the market, even those coming to buy may come along with the disease that will affect the people in the market.
Beatrice Nabusita, a fruits vendor in Tororo Central Market wants the president to rescind on his directive of sleeping in the markets.
Betty Adikini, one of the leaders at the Tororo market says she has given up on trying to sensitize vendors because they always remain adamant despite knowing the Standard Operating Procedures in the markets.
Ahmed Jamal, the Western Division Chairperson hosting the market says he has advised the municipal council team to close the market and vendors relocate to the streets for these few days to avoid congestion. He says he is now going to involve the district task team to close the market so that the vendors can heed to the presidential directives and save people from contracting the disease.
The division health inspector Joseph Okello says his office is going to take up the matter. Dr. Jonthan Wangisi, the Mbale District Health Officer said that his office is continuing to sensitize the market community to adhere to the preventive measures put in place.
Ayubu Kirinya
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