A meeting between stakeholder ministries and Members of Parliament (MPs) from Northern Uganda has been planned to address concerns over the closure of the Karuma Bridge.
The Ministry of Works and Transport closed the bridge over the River Nile on the Kampala – Gulu Highway from access by all motorists on Monday, 23 September 2024 to pave way for rehabilitation of the bridge, with works estimated to take three months.
The Karuma Bridge is a gateway to Northern Uganda and its closure has led to an uproar from the public, which has been re-echoed by MPs who raised the matter during plenary sitting on Wednesday, 25 September 2024.
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, told Parliament that the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, had been assigned the task.
Consequently, traffic has been diverted with motorists from the North plying the Eastern route via Gulu, Kamdini, Lira, Soroti, Tirinyi, Pallisa, Iganga, Jinja to Kampala while those using the ferry pass via Gulu, Kamdini, Apac, Masindi Port, Luweero to Kampala.
Additionally, travelers who use the Murchison Falls National Park have been restricted to move between 7.00a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, gave the minister up to Tuesday, 01 October 2024 to report back and he stressed the importance of involving area MPs in the meeting.
“Why I insist on the MPs is because the works and tourism ministries already met and what they came up with, you can see the contention it is raising. When you involve these stakeholders, their views are captured and you come with a solution that is owned up by all,” Tayebwa said.
The matter was raised by Kilak South County MP, Hon. Gilbert Olanya, who said that the alternative routes have led to hiked transport fares, on top of several other inconveniences.
“The bus owners and business community are not happy. You have to foot high transport fare which is now about Shs125,000 which used to be between Shs30,000 to Shs40,000,” Olanya said.
He added that travellers using the Murchison Falls National Park to Masindi have been subjected to pay a fee of Shs25,000, and he called for removal of the fee.
The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra, however said that opening the Murchison park route to all motorists will endanger wildlife and affect tourism.
“The moment we open the entire park to all kinds of vehicles, we will not have the mechanism of differentiating tourist vehicles from the rest of the vehicles,” he said.
Hon. Alfred Edakasi (NRM, Kaberamaido County) concurred with the minister, saying that he has witnessed a truck almost knocking an expectant lioness in the national park.
Kole District Woman Representative, Hon. Judith Alyek, said that whilst government’s decision to rehabilitate the bridge is welcome, they ought to have planned the alternative routes properly.
