Community Voices

A Trader’s Story: Rebuilding After Gikomba

A personal account from a Gikomba trader on loss, recovery, and resilience after a devastating market fire.

A Trader’s Story: Rebuilding After Gikomba
Construction of Gikomba quarry road market
For many traders in Gikomba, fire has been a recurring threat — destroying livelihoods in a matter of hours.For Amina*, a small-scale clothing trader, the fire that swept through the market erased years of hard work.

The Day Everything Was Lost

“I watched as everything burned,” she recalls. “My stock, my savings, my plans — all gone.”With no insurance and limited savings, rebuilding seemed impossible.

Support & Recovery

In the aftermath, coordinated support provided a lifeline.
  • Emergency assistance to help traders restart
  • Improved market organisation and safety measures
  • Engagement with trader associations to strengthen preparedness
“The help we received allowed me to reopen,” Amina says. “It gave me hope when I had none.”

Back to Business

Today, Amina has rebuilt her stall and supports her family once again.
  • Stable daily income restored
  • Renewed confidence in the future
  • Stronger sense of community among traders
“We are stronger now,” she reflects. “We know we can rise again.”