Vendors still stranded in aftermath of whirlwind

By Aloysius Byamukama

Market vendors in Kabwohe-Itendero town council market in Sheema district, are still stranded with their business coming to a standstill after a whirlwind ravaged their market on Friday.

The miserable situation has not spared Ephraim Katongole and his dependant mother, Sarah Nakatti and sister Yudaya Nabagilinya, both residents of Rushoroza Village where the wind started.

The natural force that came without rain in the morning of  Friday last week, started from the adjacent Rushoroza Village hill near Kabwohe town, blowing iron sheets into the air and razing down Katongole’s house, moving on to blow the roof of the town market located along Masheruka road.

The affected vendors and stranded and waiting to have the market re-erected as their businesses lie in ruin.

Stranded vendors look at the destroyed stalls. PHOTO/Aloysius Byamukama

Michael Asiimwe, the market vendors’ chairman, said there is nothing they can do to save the situation, after efforts to convince the town council authorities to give them a hand were futile.

Asiimwe said they had requested the Council for help, but that their request was turned down after they were told it had only given them a hand in setting up the market, that the rest they would do on their own.

The vendors have convened a meeting tomorrow Wednesday to chart a way forward.

Over 50 vendors were affected after the wind ravaged the market and blew away the roof to the nearby play ground, with many losing merchandise worth thousands of shillings.

Meanwhile, Katongole has shifted his family to the neighours’ houses as he awaits well wishers’ mercy to help him put up an accommodating structure.

Katongole has five children and five dependants including his mother and sister.

Sheema district chairman Pastori Mugisha said they encouraged the affected residents who could afford, to put back the roofs of their houses as the authorities consider what they can do for them.