Government has released a list of 48 arcades in Kapala that have fulfilled the standards for control of the spread of coronavirus and are set to be reopened.
The move follows President Museveni’s directive to the Ministry of Trade, Kampala Ministry and KCCA last month, to work on modalities and guidelines that should be followed by arcades before they are reopened after a 4 month lockdown on the country due to covid-19.
Following a meeting with arcade owners, government revealed that a total of 48 arcades had met the set guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the fight against Coronavirus and are set to open for business.
These incluse; Mukwano Arcade, Modern Shoplex Grand Corner Plaza Arua Park Plaza Arua Park Annex Magoba Shopping Centre, Mega plaza Sekaziga House, Teddy’s Plaza Prism, E Tower, Kampala Plaza Shauriyako Original, Bulamu Bwebugagga, Ssembatya Arcade, Plot 15 A and B, Kabala Shopping Arcade Avema Shopping Center, Nambusi Arcade, Kisa Kya Mukama, Eagle plaza Galiraya, Discovery plaza, Capital Center Gadith, House William, Ham Shopping ground, E-M plaza, Royal Plaza, Hanifa Towers, Yamaha Center, Zai Plaza, Jjemba, Sky shopping arcade, Dembe arcade, Trusted arcade, Gagawala Shamba Complex, Apple plaza, kisekka Auto Center, KK trust, Vinco Arcade, Byamugisha Ben, Angels arcade, Zebra House, Nabugabo Business Center, The Arcade, Light Arcade and Market Plaza.
Minister for Trade and Cooperatives, Hon Amelia Kyambadde however stated that 39 other arcades that have not yet met the set guidelines will remain closed until they fulfill the requirements for reopening.
These include:
Boost Complex ,Superior Complex, Katikati complex, Arrow , Peoples plaza, Park Enkadde Mall, Annet Plaza, Silva Plaza, Nagatule plaza, JBK Plaza, Temuseo Mpoza, Namaganda plaza, Park View Shopping Center, Maria’s Galleria, Universal House, California Plaza, City Center Complex, Totala Business Center, Gazaland, Printers House, Royal complex, Nakasule, Zibula Atudde, Katonga Business Center, Haider Plaza, Kalungi Plaza, Victor Nana arcade ,Qualicel Bus Teminal, French Plaza, Nasser Road Mall, Dembelyo House, Moonlight arcade and Sal House.
Operators in the reopened arcades were cautioned to strictly observe the SOPs including social distancing and hand-washing at all times to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The development follows treats and protests from traders under Kampala City Traders Association(KACITA) who threatened to forcefully reopen the arcades on Tuesday. The traders say move the continued closure of business activities has crippled them financially yet most of them have loans to service.
Other members of the business community across the country have staged sporadic protests in the past two months over the same.