A road that would usually be filled with commuters is now completely empty on a Wednesday afternoon.
“Times have changed...now I have to choose between buying a face mask or a packet of milk,” says Martin Makau, the owner of the Jerusalem Kiosk.
A woman stands in her roadside cafe, laughing, despite having no customers for lunch this particular afternoon.
The Spring Valley Supermarket, a 5-minute drive from Loresho, welcomes its customers with hand sanitizer and social distancing flyers on its window.
The owner of the tyre shop says business has become significantly worse due to social distancing. Since people no longer leave their homes, they aren’t in need of any repairs or purchases.
A security guard stands in front of a gated community to ensure that everyone who enters is wearing a face mask and has washed their hands. This community installed a hand washing station, outside its gate, taking extra precautions to maintain a Coronavirus free environment.
A flower and seed shop, on the side of a main road, struggles as demand for their flowers has significantly decreased. The vendors say the virus has also affected their stock as it’s been a challenge having the flowers shipped to them on time.
A face mask sits on a dirt road outside of a house.
Artist George Ongeri stands outside his studio and art shop. He created a barrier around the workspace, using his easels, to protect himself from strangers that pass by. Ongeri says his income has decreased by 90% due to a lack of sales, as people have stopped visiting his shop and purchasing his work. Ongeri’s decrease in income has affected his entire family. They are now forced to live on “a very low and tight budget.”
Ongeri is currently working on a Coronavirus related piece. He is covering his hand on a part of the artwork as it is too “gory.” It is a drawing that is based on domestic violence. He says stay at home orders have caused an increase in domestic violence and abuse cases. Ongeri often hears about these issues on the radio. “I heard that more women are being physically hurt...I also heard that this is happening in Uganda.”
“We are not doing well. You can see it yourself...there’s barely anyone here,” says Paul Wanji, the cook of a roadside canteen.
A flyer for an online grocery delivery service posted on a tree.
A security guard waits for her uniform and shoes to dry after a series of heavy rains. She’s grateful that everyone in her family, including herself, still have jobs.
Paul Karanja, a worker at the Springvalley Total Petrol Station, says they now sell less than half of what the used to. “No one is leaving their house so why would they need any fuel?”
A “Boga Mama” (vegetable vendor) walking around looking for customers to sell her produce.
What used to be a busy highway, usually packed with traffic, is now deserted.