Dozens of traders in Arivu market in Arua district are counting losses following a suspected arson attack on Tuesday night. The unidentified arsonists torched a four-roomed store where the traders have been keeping their merchandise.
The fire destroyed several items including sewing machines, sacks of produce, clothes and gumboots among others valued at over Shillings 200milllion. Stephen Alioni, one of the affected traders, says that he lost clothes and gumboots worth Shillings 12 million to the fire.
Other traders who lost items to the inferno, said that they have loans from financial institutions that they were servicing with earnings from their businesses and are now stuck without any other source of income.
Luiji Chandini, the Arivu sub-county LC V councillor has appealed for assistance from well-wishers to support the affected traders.
Felix Edema, the LC 3 chairman of Arivu Sub-County has pledged support for the affected traders.
Cosmas Ayikobua the Deputy Arua Resident District Commissioner has called on the business community to work together to ensure proper security in the market.Arivu market attracts traders from Arua city, Madi Okollo and districts across the region and parts of Eastern DR Congo.
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The markets should be equipped with fire extinguishers and also have security personnel to detect fire.