The Kampala Capital City Authority, KCCA has closed Kalerwe Market for failure to adhere to the ministry of health and government guidelines on the fight against the novel coronavirus.
The minister for Kampala Betty Amongi announced the closure of Kalerwe market during a media briefing in Kampala this afternoon, explaining that while some markets have complied with the guidelines, others had failed.
She instructed traders and customers not to bother showing up to the market starting tomorrow Saturday 4th April 2020.
“We are asking all people, do not come to Kalerwe Market tomorrow. However, we are asking all landlords of Kalerwe market to sit with officers from KCCA in the next two days to reorganize the market in compliance with H.E the president’s directives. If within the two days they are able to give us a plan that is workable, then on Monday we shall open Kalerwe market” the minister noted.
Adding that the authority has engaged the market for the last two weeks and they have failed to understand. “We cannot put the lives of other Ugandans at risk because you have failed to comply with the directive” the minister warned.
Meanwhile, the authority will also close part of Nakawa market, to try and find enough space of 4 meters between traders.
The president ordered for all market stalls that do not sell food stuffs and agricultural inputs in order to create some space of at least 4 metres between traders.
However, Kalerwe being nearly the biggest food market in Uganda, remained open but crowded, which could cause transmission of the virus. The market serves other markets in Kampala and has nearly the cheapest groceries.
