Businesses in Moroto Auction Market is returning to normal following the easing of restrictions on markets.
In June this year, the government closed all places of public gatherings such as markets, churches, mosques and bars as part of the COVID-19 containment measures as the country battled the second wave of the pandemic.
Just a fortnight after the government eased the lockdown in public places including open markets, business is quickly picking up in Moroto district. Traders and shoppers thronged Nadunget Auction Market on Monday rushing for goods and services.
Livestock traders could be seen buying cattle, one of the main commodities that attract traders from other parts of the country.
Over nine lorries laden with cattle were cleared in the presence of Anti-Stock Theft Unit-ASTU personnel, veterinary office and local authorities to leave Moroto for other destinations as local authorities continue to tighten the grip on cattle theft in the wake of sustained raids in different parts of Karamoja.
Paul Loduk, a cattle trader from Moroto notes that the reopening of markets has enabled people to buy the goods and access services of their choice to satisfy their needs fully.
In the food stores, business is also on course as locals rushed to buy beans, cassava flour, sorghum, silverfish, cabbage, tomatoes and other vegetables, some locally grown.
Women could be seen shopping mostly the food items in the market that closes by midday due to security concerns. Second-hand cloth dealers also reported average sales.
Jenifer Acia from Moroto town is happy that the reopening of markets has enabled them to sell more pieces of clothes than before.
Michael Lodwar, the secretary of Security in Nadunget Village that hosts the market, says that reopening of the auction markets is timely because parents can now sell their cattle for children’s education. Other sections of the market including restaurants, artwork and ironworking, phone repairs and sales all looked busy.
Security was visible throughout the busy market to curtail petty thefts, maintain law and order and provide security to the traders mainly in the livestock sector. At least three head of cattle were claimed by some local cattle keepers as stolen livestock brought for sale.
All three cases were immediately taken over by the police who pitch camp at the market every Monday. It’s a district market for Moroto under the management of Nadunget Sub County. It’s the only main auction market strategically located just at the junctions of Soroti, Kotido and Nakapiripirit districts.
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