With Ugandans increasingly becoming complacent in the fight against COVID-19 by ignoring all safety measures initially imposed by the government to control the spread of coronavirus, President Yoweri Museveni is reported to have given traders in Kikuubo Lane one week to comply with COVID-19 guidelines or face closure.
According to sources, with Kikuubo being Kampala’s biggest general merchandise market-area, government fears a spike of coronavirus in case an infected individual accesses the area.
Lately, photos of a crowded Kikuubo market have been circulating on social media, with many wondering why government is very silent on the situation that is thought to be very dangerous.
It is said that over 10,000 traders access Kikuubo daily and occupants can hardly find space which makes it a fertile ground for the spread of the virus.
Before starting the easing of lockdown, government ordered strict enforcement of social distancing in markets and all public places and wearing of face masks. However, the guidelines have been discarded as every day, more Ugandans return to the streets, markets and all other busy centres without observing the Standard Operation Procedures.