By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
Mbarara
Victor Bwana Timber traders in Mbarara city that lost over 1Bn shillings to the fire that gutted their work place last week on Friday are crying to city authorities to allow them resume working in temporary structures.
This was raised by the traders during a stock taking meeting with 176 affected people and city authorities.
The meeting that was chaired by Kanusu Robert the deputy Resident city commissioner North division was also attended by Mugabe Robert Kakyebezi, mayor Mbarara city, the police, MBACITA leaders and other Mbarara city technical staff.
In his remarks, the RCC pledged to continue working with the affected traders to come up with a good report that will help them as they engage prime ministers office as well as parliament for any support.
The City Mayor Mugabe Robert Kakyebezi noted that he was so surprised to hear about the fire outbreak a day after his caution to police on preparedness while he was attending the pipping function following their failure to respond quickly to fire that gutted timber traders at Akiiki Nyabongo road in October 2021 when they had to hire a fire truck from Bushenyi police.
He asked commercial banks that could be demanding from the traders to be lenient with them as they struggle to recover from the loss.
He also ordered the engineers and commercial officers to meet with timber business leaders to ensure that they resume work as soon as possible.
Kakyebezi also informed the traders that they will in the long run be relocated to Koranorya once the place is prepared to serve their purpose.
MBACITA Chairperson Mwijuka Simon Ssezi called on traders to unite and have one voice challenging them on the news to start up a SACCO that would have helped in case of such a calamity.
Silagi Abbas Magara, the victor Bwana timber traders chairperson revealed that he lost property worth Sh30M and in total the traders all together lost over 1,002,680,000 Ugandan Shillings.He blamed their total loss to police that never turned up to put the fire down.
He applauded the road construction management that helped them with their vehicles to put down the fire although it was too late to save anything.
He requested the traders to keep calm as they wait for the city council to allow them resume work. He also requested for security to guard their property when they start again since they will be working from temporally structures.
