By Tugume Johnbosco
Vendors at Hoima Hardware Market have voluntarily closed the facility to contain a surge in covid19 infections in the district. The traders are now pleading to the government to offer relief Aid as the 42 day lockdown continues.
Mr. Vicent Sseguya, the chairman for Hoima Hardware Market Operators Association said they had decided to continue operating in strict adhering to the revised Standard Operating Procedures-SOPs but decided to close in fear to contract the virus.
“Due to the rising infections, we decided to close the facility on Wednesday and no one is supposed to access it until the 42 days are complete or unless the president directs otherwise” he said on Thursday morning.
Hoima has cumulatively registered over 900 cases of Covdi19 infections and 26 deaths.
Sseguya said their biggest concern now is that banks are threatening to sale some of the vendors’ property yet they don’t have active business to service the loans.
“I request the District Covid19 Taskforce to petition the National Taskforce to remind the President to direct banks to first halt pressurizing their clients to service their loans until the lockdown is lifted” he said
Over 80 percent of the vendors in the facility dealing in old clothes and shoes are women. Annette Nyandera, a vendor said her family is in total disaster since her sole income generating activity closed down.
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