Newslex Point News in Uganda, Uganda news
When the strict 42-day lockdown came into action, vendors at Nakasero market in downtown Kampala were allowed to continue operating.
They were, however, given only one operating condition, which is not returning home but instead sleep where they work from.
The government distributed mosquito nets as well as drinking water and soap to roughly 600 vendors. Now the traders face a six-week stretch away from home confined to the cramped quarters of the marketplace.
It is so uncomfortable, to begin with, due to the scarce personal space, and amenities ill equipped to handle so many people.
In the evenings, the lucky ones find sleeping spaces between mountains of fresh produce and crates of chickens.
They are grateful for the thin roof that covers their heads despite the air that is time and again stale and muggy.
The less fortunate sleep in the open, curled up on sheets of cardboard or hessian sacks to stay warm all night.
‘’I am sleeping on a mat, and some pieces of boxes. Together with my mosquito net. Yes, that is all. It is not like I am home where I close the door. But since I am in the market, an open place, of course, you feel the coldness between you,’’ said Abu Kikomeko, a 23-year-old university student.
Kikomeko helps out his aunt at her vegetable stall at Nakasero and said he appreciates the mosquito net. He however misses the warmth of his bed.
Check Also;
- Those Who Were Unemployed Before Lockdown Are Not Our Target For Covid-19 Relief Funds, Government
- Opposition Wants Government To Double Covid-19 Relief Funds
- Authorities Ban Essential Workers Without Electronic Travel Permits
Please use the button below to contribute to Newslex Point, Inc. using a credit card or via PayPal.
![[dropcap]A[/dropcap] section of women in Bugongo parish and Nawangaiza parish in Nawandala Sub County, Iganga District have decried the near-impossible terms set for them to access GROW funds. They have now petitioned their woman member of parliament for Iganga Hon. Kauma Sauda Alibaawo to ask the government for revised terms and conditions. This is to enable them to benefit from the program. The disgruntled women accuse the implementers of the program of charging the money. They are also asking for their land titles and land agreements. They said that such properties are governed by their husbands. These, therefore want the government through their woman MP to intervene and revise the requirements for one to benefit. The women were on Wednesday at Namabwere primary school in Nawandala Sub County. They had gathered in their respective groups to receive over 300 chickens from Hon Alibaawo in her campaign to improve the livelihood of women in Iganga district. Each group was given 50 chicken as start-up capital in their journey to prosperity. Read what some leaders said; Ms Naigambi Lydia from Nawandala Trading Centre says, “They solicited money from us through opening bank accounts and depositing Shs80,000. They also asked for land titles and land agreements from us yet we don’t have such things. I was informed that I needed to have a business with a capital of Shs4m yet my capital was very small.” The chairperson Kisoboka Saving Group in Nawandala Ms. Nakagolo Faith said they were not able to join the program. This is given the many conditions attached. She also asked their woman MP to raise their concerns to the relevant offices. The MP condemned the mode of implementation of the program. She cited that it has turned to benefit the well-off class of women other than the intended group. She further asked the government to intervene saying the current strings attached to the programme are very tight to accommodate a common woman. GROW project is a Government of Uganda initiative that arose out of the need to respond to the needs of women entrepreneurs. This is especially those who want to grow their businesses, sustain their self-employment and create more jobs. Check Also; Iganga District NRM Leaders Urge Museveni To Fulfill Election Promises Of 2021 International Women's Day: Celebrating Progress Towards Equality](https://i0.wp.com/newslexpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Iganga-women-decry-tough-terms-to-access-GROW-funds-e1731738339732.jpg?resize=300%2C160&ssl=1)
