Mbarara market vendors fear Ebola outbreak 

MBARARA – Following the outbreak of Ebola in Mubende district that has claimed the lives of some people including medical workers, vendors in Mbarara Central Market now fear the deadly disease could strike the city.

Kraish Rugema, one of the fish dealers said the market located in Mbarara city is congested with vendors and buyers, especially late in the evening yet no Ebola preventive measures have been put in place by the relevant officials.

“There is an outbreak of Ebola in the country but how are we prepared in this central market,” Rugema said.

He added that ever since the Ebola outbreak was reported in the country, no sensitisation has been extended to the vendors in the market that they recently occupied.

When contacted about the concerns of the market vendors, Dr. Peter Sebutinde, the district health officer urged the public to continue washing their hands.

“The key factor for prevention is hand-washing and people should keep practicing that,” Sebutinde said.

Sebutinde noted that markets are at risk of Ebola infection, warning health workers to be on alert.

Apart from Ebola, Donozio Kibanda, the market publicity secretary said vendors are also battling with sewerage as a result of shoddy work.

“The vendors and customers are also concerned that the garbage generated is collected late in the evening, which brings about flies and the bad smell, especially in the fish and fruit sections of the new market,” Donozio added.

Another market vendor said vendors have no place to pour the dirty water, adding some vendors urinate in buckets as they cannot afford toilet fees. “They pour urine in front of the shops, especially late in the evening, bringing about a terrible stench,” she said.

Richard Mugisha, deputy city clerk, when contacted, said engineers are working around the clock to fix the issue of sewerage discharge.

Vendors also complained about heavy water bills where each unit cost is charged Shs 10,000.

“The council needs to harmonise the issue of water bills because vendors never committed any crime to resettle in the new facility” Emmanuel Muhumuza, the interim market chairperson said.

https://thecooperator.news/ebola-outbreak-kabarole-rdc-urges-locals-to-be-vigilant/

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