By Patricia Angel T and Brave Tumuranzye,
KAMPALA: Forum for Democratic Change party has asked government to support businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 lockdown with interest free loans.
The FDC through pary spokesman, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, has advised that inorder to restart the economy, government should support all businesses affected by the lockdown and are in dire need of capital to re-start.
“Instead of issuing free money through emyoga, businesses that have been affected by the lockdown in particular and Covid generally must be registered and published.” Ssemujju said.
The FDC suggests that village, sub-county, municipal, district, city Covid taskforces be used to verify affected businesses before they are issued with interest free revolving loans.
In addition, fdc has asked government and products manufucturers to set up distribution centres in all urban centres across the country if they were to dicongest cities, municipalities, towns and markets as a measure to contain COVID-19 spread.
“Goods sold in Kikuubo and all arcades in Kampala are not manufactured there. These places as well as markets must be decongested. There is no reason, why a trader in Arua, Mbarara, Masaka should come to Kikuubo for Mukwano’s oil or Kakira’s sugar;” fdc said before adding;
“Instead distribution centres must be set up in all urban centers.This can be achieved with tax measures. Kalerwe, Nateete and Owino cannot continue being the only main distribution centres for onions and tomatoes. Temporary markets should be set up in all urban areas for purposes of distributing agricultural good.”
The party further suggests for the improvement on organizing of public transport to ensure COVID-19 standards operation procedures (SOPs) such as social distancing are adhered to.
“Taxis should pick and drop people along the highways and roads, we must not operate permanent loading places such as tax parks and Bus parks,” fdc suggested.
They also urged police and other security agencies to only patrol the enforcement Covid measures rather than brutalizing the population who are struggling to earn a living.
