Rukungiri salon operators storm RDC’s office
Salon operators in Rukungiri Municipality under their umbrella
Rukungiri Salon Association last evening stormed the office of the
Resident District Commissioner’s-RDC demanding for food and his
intervention with their landlords on rent.
The over 116 operators also complained about the delayed distribution
of relief food despite the fact that they were also listed as a
vulnerable group by the President at the time he announced a
nationwide lockdown as a control measure against the spread of the
coronavirus disease.
Simon Agaba, a salon operator in Rukungiri town, who is also the
Chairperson of the association, says they are going through a hard
time after more than three months of not working. He says that the
situation has been complicated by the fact that landlords are now
asking them to clear rent or vacate their premises.
Peace Kworakunde, another salon operator says most of the salon
operators have loans to pay and have started receiving reminders from
creditors to clear. She is worried that without alternatives, they may
lose their collateral to money lenders.
The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner Dan Kaguta calmed down
the salon operators explaining that it’s not intentional to have their
businesses closed but rather control the spread of the disease.