Owino fire should serve as an eye opener
Mar 05, 2009
EDITOR—My sympathy to all those who lost their property in the fire that reduced Nakivubo Park Yard market to ashes.
EDITOR—My sympathy to all those who lost their property in the fire that reduced Nakivubo Park Yard market to ashes.
It was an unfortunate, yet avoidable incident, if only the Government and city authorities had taken caution. I appreciate all those who contributed their money to help those who were affected by the fire, including the sh1b donated by President Yoweri Museveni. However, we need to face the truth.
True, these people need help, but I think the biggest contribution would be for the Government and Kampala City Council to build a better and well-planned market other than giving the traders money to put up other makeshift structures that could be easily razed down by another fire. This is self-defeatist. It is like digging one hole to fill another.
From the events that followed the tragedy, many rational Ugandans will conclude that we will never fall short of “interest groupsâ€â€” businessesmen, individuals, the government officials and the opposition alike, grabbed the opportunity to gain political capital from the misfortunes of others.
Ugandans deserve better. I expected to see those who claim to be champions of prosperity and modernisation offering real solutions and not only handouts to the traders.
The best solution would be to construct a modern market with big outlets such that people and property can be rescued in case of a fire.
Moses Oguti
Gulu
It was an unfortunate, yet avoidable incident, if only the Government and city authorities had taken caution. I appreciate all those who contributed their money to help those who were affected by the fire, including the sh1b donated by President Yoweri Museveni. However, we need to face the truth.
True, these people need help, but I think the biggest contribution would be for the Government and Kampala City Council to build a better and well-planned market other than giving the traders money to put up other makeshift structures that could be easily razed down by another fire. This is self-defeatist. It is like digging one hole to fill another.
From the events that followed the tragedy, many rational Ugandans will conclude that we will never fall short of “interest groupsâ€â€” businessesmen, individuals, the government officials and the opposition alike, grabbed the opportunity to gain political capital from the misfortunes of others.
Ugandans deserve better. I expected to see those who claim to be champions of prosperity and modernisation offering real solutions and not only handouts to the traders.
The best solution would be to construct a modern market with big outlets such that people and property can be rescued in case of a fire.
Moses Oguti
Gulu