Food vendors in Rwebikoona Market, Kamukuzi Division – Mbarara Municipality are sobbing uncontrollably after the area Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lt. Col. James Mwesigye ordered closure of the market.
The RDC made the directive today, noting that the vendors were not observing measures to control the spread of the virus. According to the RDC, the vendors were to either sleep inside the market or go home and stay there, which they failed to observe.
The RDC says the market will remain closed until the COVID-19 lockdown and curfew set by President Museveni come to an end.
Speaking to the market chairman, Mr Eliab Niwagasha, he clarified to our reporter that the RDC’s actions are filled with anger and that he didn’t have time to carefully think through his decisions.
“The traders had started sleeping in the market. They were not going home and were carefully observing other guidelines but the ‘angry’ RDC closed the market nonetheless.” Niwagasha said.
The traders are appealing to government for food relief and other needs for their families, noting that they will not survive more than a day without a source of food.
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