As the lockdown was eased, the president of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, during his address to the nation ordered the opening of malls however, arcades were to remain closed. He gave reasons for malls enabling social distancing whereas the arcades don’t. This meant that most of the buildings downtown were not allowed to open even after more than 3 months of closure. While Speaking to the press, the chairman of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), Everest Kayondo said that business owners will forcefully open business as of tomorrow Tuesday 14th July 2020. He emphasized how they will implement Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) as recommended by the government while at it. “Whether the government approves or not, tomorrow we are going to open shops and work,” he said.
All these reactions were triggered by photos and a video of the minister of Health Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng that made rounds on social media when she was neither social distancing nor wearing a face mask in Lira last weekend. She has been at the forefront of the COVID19 fight and everyone was surprised by such an act as it was against the World Health Organization steps taken to control the coronavirus.
It should also be noted that many traders are Chocking on bank loans that they had acquired pre lockdown. Many are resorting to illegal methods of operating whereas others like some have resorted to cars in a bid to pay back loans. As of now, Downtown has been littered with anti-riot police waiting for what might happen tomorrow
