Gulu traders count losses over rampant power outage
Apr 23, 2017
"When power is off we are forced to come out of the basement because it's too dark and no customer will come to purchase any item," Nancy Aneera who sells clothes told New Vision.
Traders in Gulu market are counting losses following frequent power outage. The most affected traders are those who have stalls at the basement of the huge market building as the place becomes totally dark.
Due to the power blackout traders have been forced to sell their merchandise at the space meant for parking as well as at the entrance of the market. The goods sold include clothes, improved cook stoves, ploughs and others.
When the New Vision entered the basement there were empty stalls as traders opted to sell their goods in the open.According to the traders the New Vision spoke to their woes is not only power outage but also the scorching sun, which they have to bear in order to sell and when it rains their goods are drenched with water.
Traders display their merchandise at the entrace of Gulu Market following the power blackout. Photo by Francis Emorut
"When power is off we are forced to come out of the basement because it's too dark and no customer will come to purchase any item," Nancy Aneera who sells clothes told New Vision.
Filda Abalo another trader explained that power outage happens three times in a week."At least when we sell our items in the open there are many customers compared to when we are in the basement,"Abalo stated.
Empty stalls at the basement of Gulu Market following the power blackout forcing traders to display their merchandise at the entrace of the market. Photo by Francis Emorut
The New Vision bumped into Josephine Arac who was grinding peas as a source of her income using available natural light as she couldn't be at the basement which was dark.
Arac explained that she moves from one trader to another who want their peas to be ground but when there is power blackout her work is affected.
On his part the chairman of traders Patrick Omaya noted that the rampant power outage drives away potential customers.