Members of Parliament from the West Nile region are urging the government to open alternative routes to facilitate smoother travel for people and goods from the area.
Addressing a news conference at Parliament, the MPs highlighted that the current route through Kafu, Masindi, and down to Murchison Falls National Park has significantly increased transportation costs, leading to a rise in commodity prices.
They raised this during a press conference at parliament held at the Government Chief Whips board room on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Led by Geoffrey Feta (Ayivu East, NRM) the chairperson of the West Nile parliamentary caucus which brings together about forty lawmakers, tabled a list of ten urgent demands to the Government revolving around the closure of the Karuma bridge. which includes opening the Masindi -Kichumbanyoro Gate Paraa -Tangi Gate road for all private vehicles and passengers free of charge as is for buses until the rehabilitation works at Karuma Bridge is completed and the road is opened for the public, the government providing security for the trucks between Kinyara and Biso town to avoid highway robbery of goods from the trucks, the ministry of works and transport should introduce domestic Uganda airlines flight between Entebbe international airport and Arua at a subsidized cost for those who can afford among others.
The bridge over the River Nile off the Gulu-Kampala highway was closed late last month to pave the way for a three-month repair. It was built in 1962 and had surpassed its shelf span. Motorists have since been advised by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to use alternative transport routes.
As per their guidelines, those using the Kichumbanyobo gate are required to pay park entrance fees since it is reserved for tourists.
These include Kafu-Masindi town-Kinyara town-Biiso Town-Murchison Falls through Bugungu gate.
However, while addressing the press on Tuesday, Feta said the development has occasioned massive disruptions to travelers and led to a hike in commodity prices.
Consequently, he asked UWA to immediately address bureaucratic processes that are stifling smooth travel and reconsider restrictions on time to allow buses and private cars to travel between 6; 00 am and 8; 00 pm.
According to MPs, this is poised to save travelers from incurring accommodation costs. It is understood that park gates are open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Entry outside this time is prohibited which has compelled many Kampala-bound passengers to brave nights in lodges along those routes.
“This has led to increased cost of transport for people and goods by about thirty-five percent. Commercial and private vehicles have been diverted to the long, insecure road with unmotorable sections. The increased cost of transport for goods has led to an increase in the price of commodities like sugar, rice, cooking oil, construction, and general merchandise,” Feta pointed out.
As such, Dr. George Didi Boka (Obongi county, NRM) says the Government needs to reach an understanding with bus companies that have hiked fares. Warning that failure to do this will cripple trade and the movement of people and goods.
“West Nile used to be connected from Port Butiaba to Nimule. There were steamships. We urge the Ministry of Transport to reconsider revitalizing water transport apart from railway and road transport to be able to move goods from west Nile using water transport,” he added.
Amidst this, there are West Nile locals who could turn to smuggled goods for lack of cheap goods. Something, Musa Noah (Koboko North, NRM) says will leave a negative impact on revenue collection targets.
“If this bridge is not going to be worked on in time and if alternative routes are not provided to ease movement of goods from the central region or the city or from where we have industries to the west Nile sub-region, then people are going to try and smuggle goods from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We are going to have problems with URA and this will also affect the government’s income,” Noah argued.
They demanded the Ministry of Works and Transport, to introduce Domestic Uganda Airline flight between Entebbe International Airport and Arua at subsidized cost for those who can afford it.
They also want the Government to increase the number of trips for the ferry between Wanseko and Panyimur from 2 to 4 to ease the traffic crossing through Lake Albert.
///ENDS
