On Monday, Policemen commanded by Luweero District Police Commander Abraham Tukundane raided the markets and issued an ultimatum of 15 minutes to vendors to vacate the markets or be evicted by force.
The Police in Luweero district has closed three roadside markets
for defying guidelines aimed at combating spreading of COVID- 19 pandemic.
The markets are Balikyejusa, Balikyewunya and Wobulenzi. The vendors deal in
fruits, sweet bananas, roasted meat and other agriculture produce.
On Monday, policemen commanded by Luweero District Police Commander Abraham
Tukundane raided the markets and issued an ultimatum of 15 minutes to vendors
to vacate the markets or be evicted by force.
Tukundane explained that the Luweero District Task Force on COVID- 19 resolved
to close the markets after the vendors ignored measures put up by the Ministry
of Health and the district to contain the spread of the pandemic.
He explained that the vendors ignored putting on face masks, physical distancing
and sanitizing as they conduct their business.
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Luganda Byte
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However, vendors have described the closure unfair and rushed which has plunged
them into huge losses.
Shaban Muluuta the Chairperson of Balikyewunya Banana Vendors Association said
they had just stocked bananas for sell and these are likely to rot over the
closure.
Aisha Namukaaya a sweet banana vendor said she had stocked supply of 300,000
shillings and this will rot in the store if the directive is not rescinded.
Other vendors pleaded to the police to let them sell the merchandise before
closing the market in vain.
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Phoebe Namulindwa the Luweero District Resident District Commissioner said she
understands the losses incurred by vendors but it was necessary to save them
from contracting and spreading the virus.
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Luweero district has not registered any COVID- 19 case but about
two positive truck drivers have been intercepted in area plying along
Kampala-Gulu highway.
Uganda has registered 705 confirmed cases of COVID 19 and 299
patients have recovered.
