Market mayhem in Uganda as COVID-19 measures upend women’s lives

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Uganda confirmed its first case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on March 22. By March 28, the number of cases had increased to 30.

Even before its first registered case, the government of Uganda had taken decisive measures such as school closures, public gathering bans and strict travel restrictions to and from affected countries to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus.

On March 25, the government announced a ban on the sale of non-food items in Ugandan markets for two weeks starting March 26, to reduce numbers and enforce social distancing guidelines recommending by the ministry of health.

The country's markets, often dominated by women sellers, were turned upside down by these restrictions.

Thousands of citizens hustle every day as day laborers and sellers in Uganda's markets to put food on their tables. In a public address about the measures, however, President Yoweri Museveni failed to acknowledge their potential effect on those who work in the markets:

Tukahirwa@MarthaTukahirwa Not even some type of relief for those that survive on the informal economy??? —— This #COVID2019 crisis is taking a toll on the masses of people that live hand to mouth. @KagutaMuseveni & your team - please consider the unfortunate fact that these folks have no safety net.

These sudden restrictions have led to increased violence and crimes against those working in the informal sector, such as street vendors who continue to sell their goods to earn a living and feed their families.

On March 26, Ugandan women street vendors were flogged and brutalized by police, who used a level of force that went beyond that allowed by recent presidential directives. The incident was documented by photographer Badru Sultan, who posted his photos on Twitter and then were shared by many:

Kizza-Besigye ✔@kizzabesigye1

Causing fear, desperation & insecurity isn’t helpful in guiding our communities to defeat the huge threat posed by #COVID19UG. People can be guided firmly but humanely & caringly. These people are trying to survive; get them to understand how to, both, avoid COVID & survive.

Martha Tukahirwa defended women vendors who continued to sell despite the directives: