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Vendors accessing Arua Main Market main Gate from the western entry point without washing their hands. By Dramadri Federick Arua city Vendors operating at Arua Main Market in Arua City have threatened to close the facility over what they describe as failure by
Vendors accessing Arua Main Market main Gate from the western entry point without washing their hands.
By Dramadri Federick
Arua city
Vendors operating at Arua Main Market in Arua City have threatened to close the facility over what they describe as failure by the market management to provide essential Ebola prevention facilities.
The vendors, under their umbrella body, the Arua Market Vendors Association, say several attempts to compel the market tenderer to comply with the Ministry of Health Ebola prevention guidelines have failed.
They accuse the management of neglecting mandatory health measures, including installation of hand-washing facilities at all entry and exit points, provision of temperature screening equipment, and enforcement of other standard operating procedures meant to prevent the spread of Ebola.
The vendors argue that the absence of these measures has exposed thousands of traders, customers, and visitors to unnecessary health risks.
Herbert Odama, the Chairperson of the Arua Market Vendors Association, says the situation is more concerning because the market attracts traders and customers from neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Ebola outbreaks have previously been reported.
Odama says fish traders and other business operators continue interacting with Congolese nationals despite restrictions at some border points, increasing the need for strict preventive measures within the market.
He says the vendors have repeatedly raised concerns with the market leadership, the market master, and city authorities, but no action has been taken.
“We made a cry as executives of the market to the tenderer who is collecting money from the market to make sure that our market is not closed due to non-adherence. But up to now nothing has happened. We informed the market master and more so the RCC, but no action has been taken. Our lives are at risk because we interact with traders from Congo every second and every minute in this market,” Odama said.
The vendors say the lack of hand-washing facilities is particularly worrying, with some entrances to the market operating without any visible Ebola prevention measures.
Odama warns that vendors may be forced to take action if the city Ebola taskforce fails to intervene.
“There are more than 3,000 vendors in this market, and if the government cannot take action on this, it is not good,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Arua City Health Officer, Dr. Apangu Pontius, acknowledges that compliance with Ebola prevention measures remains a challenge in several markets across the city.
He says many markets have difficulties controlling entry and exit points because of their open nature, making it hard to enforce temperature screening and other preventive requirements.
“The issue of temperature guns is a challenge in all the markets. Most of our markets are open, and it is difficult to regulate exit and entry. Even where they are available, most markets have several open spaces without these facilities,” Dr. Apangu explained.
The Arua Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Retired Major Betty Otekat Akello, says Ebola prevention directives issued by the Ministry of Health are compulsory and must be followed by all responsible authorities and market operators.
She emphasized that public health guidelines cannot be ignored. “The presidential directive is not negotiable,” the RCC warned.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Arua Main Market Master were unsuccessful as he was not available in office by press time.
Phone calls made to Jane Adiru, the Administrator of Betai Enterprises Limited, the company contracted to manage Arua Main Market, also went unanswered.
The concerns come at a time when health authorities continue urging communities, institutions, and businesses to strengthen preventive measures against Ebola, including maintaining hygiene and early detection systems.