ARUA STREET VENDORS OCCUPYING STALLS AS TRADE ORDER AGAINST STREET VENDING IS IMPLEMENTED.

By Sunday Amandi

Arua City

Vendors have started occupying the upper floor of the modern market in Arua city, following the recent trade order enforced in city against street vending by the authorities, though business is not yet doing well for them, and yet those who were vending in the market before are now realizing positive changes, as the number of customers is steadily increasing.

Most of these former street vendors are now counting on the future as they believe that, if the rest of their colleagues who are still trying their luck on the streets join them in the garzeted markets, things may change for the better.

Yasir   Sijal, a shoes seller who was formerly vending at Lobida, believes that, their businesses will only do well if all the street vendors are forced to go to the various garzated markets. “After we were chased from the streets, I shifted to the main market, the challenge I face here is ,I have spent three days here, but only sold a pair of shoes……”Yasir said.

Similarly, Keri Erick, who deals in gentle clothes, only believes in the future of his business in the main market. “Since I came here yesterday up to now, no one has bought anything from me, maybe for the future but for now, things are very hard…………………” Keri said.

However, those who were already settled on the fast floor of the market from its opening are now getting to enjoy business as the number of their buyers has started increasing.

Sonny Anguko, who sales spices in the market   say, after the eviction of street vendors, their businesses are doing well.

In a recent interview, Emmanuel Angudubo, the acting city clerk made it clear that the exercise will continue until street vending is completely eradicated in the city.

Though some vendors have started occupying the empty stalls on the upper floor of the main market after the enforcement of the trade order, majority of the stalls still remain unoccupied and some of the street vendors are still playing the hide and seek tricks by operating along some streets.

COVER PHOTO: Some vendors who have occupied stall on the upper floor of the main market By Sunday Amandi