People complain that since Bujumbura Central Market has burned, they no longer know exactly where to buy what they need. Traders are scattered in different markets and in commercial galleries of Bujumbura –by Lorraine Josiane Manishatse
Village Market, one of the Commercial Galleries of Bujumbura City Council. ©Iwacu
Before the Bujumbura Central Market burning, it was very easy to get whatever one needs to buy because articles were arranged according to categories in different stands of the market. That one was divided into small compartments: all goods and products were put or displayed in different sections according to their types. But now, it is very difficult to find what one wants because traders are dispersed and everyone stays anywhere he finds a place.
According to Betty Munyana met at the Village Market, one commercial Gallery of Bujumbura, it is the second time she comes there because she doesn’t know where to buy shoes for her daughter who will celebrate her Secondary School Diploma. “Before Bujumbura Central Market burning, it was very easy, if I needed something I went directly to the place where it was sold because it was known. For us who do not have enough time to spend in the market like young pupils, it is very difficult to find what we need.” deplores Munyana.
The view is shared by Cynthia Nintije, met at Jabe Market, who will soon get married, but got a problem of finding where to buy kitchen utensils like in central market before its burning, after spending a long time wandering in that market.“I have often been obliged to buy some products in shops where they are more expensive because I didn’t know where to buy them. Now I am here because one of my friends has informed me that I can find them here. But it is very difficult for me because I am not accustomed to that market” indicates Nintije.“Since the Central Market has caught fire, I have bought neither clothes nor shoes. When I need to buy them, it will take me some time to visit galleries, shops and other markets around the town as I don’t know where to find them now” says Claver Nindorera, a citizen of Bujumbura City Council.
Even traders have lost their permanent customers
According to Innocent Mugisha, a former trader in Bujumbura Central Market, more than 50 per cent of his customers have disappeared. Only some of them who have his phone number have joined him where he continues his business at Jabe Market.“I sell clothes for men; I had my own customers, some of them know the new place and others have refused to arrive at Jabe market because they disdain the place. It‘s a big loss for me” regrets Mugisha.
For Marie Ndayisenga, the former fruit seller in Bujumbura Central Market, her activities have decreased because she doesn’t have a stable place for running her business.“I often meet my former customers in the street and guide them where I am now, some of them have joined me while others have entirety abandoned me” she mentions.
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