Following a crisis meeting, the district task force Busia municipality will conduct random COVID-19 screening targeting market vendors.

“It is a matter of concern. Starting next week we are going to randomly test all market vendors for COVID-19. Those who test positive with COVID-19 will be isolated and started on treatment,” said Mathew Tusubira the resident district commissioner Busia.

Tusubira further noted that the decision to randomly screen vendors was taken following the non-complacency of people failing to wear face masks.

He added that the vendors are at high risk of contracting the virus since they daily interface with customers from neighbouring Kenya, which is currently battling with the third wave of the pandemic.

Harriet Mayinja training participants

“As a task force, we have realized that it is a red spot we need to focus on so that it does not become a source of escalating numbers of COVID-19 infection in Busia district,” Tusubira noted.

Busia market is a business hub for 3000 people and over 2000 of them are women. Many of these women are also involved in cross border trade between Kenya and Uganda.

In this current second wave of COVID-19, the Busia border point was labelled as a high-risk area. At the peak of the second wave in June, a total of 28 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in the district. 

The district Health Inspector Busia, Peter Nabunwa, confirmed the development. 

Nabunwa said very many people do not want to put on masks. 

The RDC handing over a certificate to a paticipant

“Some claim that they have underlying health conditions that do not allow them to wear masks. Others keep the masks under their chins and only wear them when they see police officer approach them,” he said.

The revelations during the closure of the three-day safe trade zone protocol training, that was conducted at Busia Main Market on Friday (July 30).

The training organized by Amref Health Africa in Uganda under the Safe Trade Zone project was conducted by officials from the Health ministry attracted over 100 market vendors and village health team members (VHTs).

“We want to equip traders with safe trade zone protocols to guide in the safe transaction of businesses at Busia border areas,” said Lilian Kamanzi the coordinator of Safe Trade Zone project.

Lilian Kamanzi Interacting with Busia District officials

During the training, women traders and VHTs were given skills on how to ensure their work surfaces are free of contamination, personal hygiene, and waste management. 

They were also trained signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and how to protect themselves from infection even when they are caring for the sick, explains Harriet Mayinja, the focal person at the health ministry.

The safe trade guidelines were developed by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Industry in partnership with Amref Health Africa and Trade Mark East Africa with funding from DANIDA to ensure that trade is not interrupted by COVID-19 pandemic.

Godfrey Oundo Ongwabe who is the chairperson Uganda National Cross border traders Association (NCBTA) commended the training. 

Oundo said the champion participants will in turn sensitize fellow vendors and the people in the community about COVID-19 prevention measures.

The participants were awarded certificates of recognition. In addition, Amref Health Africa in Uganda also handed hand washing facilities and waste bins.