The Ministry of Health and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have taken the mosquito net distribution to Kalerwe Market, a Kampala suburb found in Kawempe division.
Commanded by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabanja, government delivered over 2000 mosquito nets to the vendors who have been asked to sleep in the markets as a way of stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking at the event, the Kakumiro woman representative saluted to venders for adhering to the presidential directive on the fight of the global corona virus.
Every time I pass here, I find people observing the Standard Operation Procedures, I would like to implore not to give up, We are in this battle together. I know we are having economic hardships but lets first save life first. We can’t talk about making profits when people are dying.” Nabanja said adding that government has done its sensitization part therefore it’s the locals to also do their part by obeying the SOPs.
The Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng implored the vendors to protect themselves against malaria, citing that its ironic for the people to insert all their efforts in the fight against Covid-19 and they end up dying of Maleria.
She also echoed the issue of keeping vigilance against COVID-19 and respect standard operating procedures especially physical distancing.
The Lira City lawmaker however warned the vendors against inflating prices of some vegetables like lemons and ginger.
“It’s a lie, Lemons don’t cure Covid-19, stop hiking the prices. Over the weekend I stopped to buy food and I was shocked to find that one lemon was being sold at 2000/=, honestly, that’s is not right, stop that unfair business.” Aceng said.
Speaking on behalf of the vendors, Mr. Kigongo Sulaiman praised the government for allowing the vendors to operate and pledged to continue sensitizing the public to observe SOPs in the market.
He also implored to stretch financial literacy training to the vendors, Value addition to their products and construction of cold rooms to prevent perishables from getting spoilt within a short spell.
