The Export Zone Mpondwe Lhubiriha Market at the Uganda –DRC border line in Kasese district has been temporarily closed.

The weekly market which takes place every Tuesday and Friday attracts communities from Kasese, neighbouring districts and those from the Democratic Republic of Congo. But Stanley Pandasi, the f Vendors Chairperson told URN that they were approached by security personnel on Monday and asked to vacate the market premises.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner – DRDC in charge of Bukonzo County, Lt. Maate Magwara said they have opted to close the market following terror alerts targeting the facility. Magwara couldn’t divulge details but said they are currently scanning through the entire facility before business resumes.

Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Clerk Moses Mugisa said they have identified Kamasasa Playground which is about 7 kilometres away to temporarily host the market. He added that they were working with security to ensure that there was enough surveillance.

However, business operations at the new site were on Tuesday interrupted by rain which forced many vendors to take shade in the verandas of nearby houses.

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URN