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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Vendors in the different markets of Kampala have decried the delayed distribution of mosquito nets.
Last month, President Museveni asked vendors to sleep in the markets to reduce contact with family members as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19.
Museveni then directed the Ministry of Health to provide the vendors with mosquito nets to protect their health from malaria. However, some vendors in St Balikuddembe and Kalerwe markets say they have not received the nets despite the presidential directive.
Susan Kushaba, the St Balikuddembe market chairperson says that out of the 3,000 vendors sleeping in the market, only 1,200 received mosquito nets last month.
Kushaba asked for the government’s intervention since many vendors especially women are sleeping in the markets without nets.
On June 23, 5,000 mosquito nets were distributed to vendors in Nakawa, Nakasero, Owino and Usafi markets. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also distributed 620 nets to the vendors in Kalerwe market.
Hadijah Nagujja, a vendor in St Balikuddembe selling fruits says although she received a mosquito net, she is not happy that her colleagues are not sleeping under mosquito nets.
Badru Katende, the chairman of Muluya market in Kalerwe says the government should fulfil its promise and deliver the nets. Katende says only 40 out of the 80 vendors in the market received the nets.
The spokesperson Ministry of Health, Emmanuel Ainebyoona says the ministry is working with the local leaders in the market areas to identify vendors who missed out and then cater for them as soon as possible.
“We are going to work with the local leaders to see the actual missing numbers with it, so am going to raise this issue to the malaria control group”, noted Ainebyoona.
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