Ebola update: Mubende traders stranded, appeal to government over rotting foodstuffs

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on Saturday, announced the lockdown thereby restricting movements in and out of the Mubende and Kassanda districts in order to head off the spread of Ebola.

After the presidential directive, authorities in Mubende and Kassanda immediately set about enforcing the announced restrictions by deploying on the major roads connecting with other districts as well as inter-routes.

Although in support of the government’s efforts, traders and business operators along Mubende roadside market have said the authorities have left them stranded with perishable foods which they had just stocked before the lockdown was announced.

The traders revealed that the lockdown announcement took them by surprise, they had only just purchased foodstuffs and stocked them in the market which they are now not allowed to access and so these perishable goods are likely to go to waste.

Lewontina Nassozi, a dealer in plantains and other foodstuffs, said that she is counting losses because she had just supplied produce to the traders who are all now restricted to their respective homes.

Irene Nabulime, also known as Maama Mercy, appealed to the authorities to allow them collect the produce from the stalls so that they do not rot.

Ismail Ssekajako, a member of Highway Market vendors, said that the lockdown will cost the average trader between 300,000 to one million shillings.

The Mubende Resident District Commissioner, Rosemary Byabashaija, acknowledged these dire straits. She promised to request the government to intervene to support the people.