KACITA asks traders to open arcades tomorrow

Editorial

Kampala City Traders Association-KACITA has mobilised traders in arcades to reopen their Shops on Tuesday July 14, in protest against continued closure by government.

Last week, KACITA issued a five days ultimatum to government to reopen arcades after four months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A leaflet that was distributed by KACITA on Monday says, “All traders operating your business in arcades come and open your shops tomorrow on 14^th July 2020 as we follow directives of the Ministry of Health (S.O.Ps).” The leaflet was titled “Enough is Enough.”

Evaristo Kayondo, the Chairperson KACITA, says that they decided to take a bold step to reopen the arcade since government hasn’t heeded to their ultimatum. 

He says government issued guidelines for reopening and arcades were inspected but wonders why they haven’t been reopened despite their commitment to comply.

He says as a result, they are working with arcade proprietors to grant traders access to their shops while observing the set guidelines. 

The guidelines include among others, ensuring that the premises and access ways are clean, hygienic and free of any obstruction.

The proprietors of the arcades and traders were also asked to have adequate natural lighting and ventilation, dedicated entry and exit points and dedicated persons to man them at all times. 

KCCA also said that there should be CCTV cameras at each entry, exit and levels and measurement of the body temperature of clients and attendants using functional infrared thermometers.

They are also expected to establish a dedicated isolation room in case they get any suspects. There should be hand washing facilities, areas of convenience and dust bins. 

All tenants and attendants should be registered, wear face masks and keep two meters away from their customers.

Joseph Kamungolo, a second hand cloth dealer, says his stock worth Shillings 6 million is gathering dust in the stores at Gazaland. Kamungolo says since the lockdown was declared in March, he hasn’t had access to his stock and has been surviving on tokens from friends.

Another traders dealing in carpets, says he cannot access his store at Jesco Beauty Center and yet his display at Gazaland is getting finished.

He wants government to reopen the arcades to allow them to resume their normal operations.