Arcade traders have on Wednesday morning swamped the streets of Kampala with their goods awaiting a commitment by the government to open shop by Friday.
The traders who have crowded the streets on Winston, William, Wilson, Ben Kiwanuka among others are busy selling their goods with no social distancing or standard operating procedures-SOPs.
On Tuesday, The Government resolved to open 48 arcades in Kampala by Friday this week that has adhered to the SOPs.
They however refused to reopen shops in the basements permanently.
In a meeting chaired by the trade minister Amelia Kyambadde on Tuesday, it was agreed that only those arcades which have been inspected and adhered to the SOPs will qualify to be re-opened.
These include an isolation room COVID-19 suspects, hand washing facilities, personal protective gear for workers, Temperature tests detergents among others.
Owners and operators were also advised to install closed Circuit Television Camera’s-CCTV at each entry and exit.
However, during the same meeting, the trade minister cautioned traders and owners to arcades that have passed the test to wait for the president to officially announce re-opening.
On Wednesday, the traders have sworn not to move away until all the arcades are reopened.
A section of these traders says they have now turned to the streets as the only solution to their inability to fend for their families through the current tough economic times.
Some of the tenants allege that they are certain majority may not return to the arcades considering the arrears to be paid and the situation post COVID-19
