Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has given the government until Tuesday, 1st October 2024, to provide a comprehensive statement addressing the concerns over the closure of the Karuma Bridge.
The bridge was shut down on Monday, 23rd September 2024, for a three-month renovation project. The closure, aimed at rehabilitating the critical bridge on the Kampala–Gulu Highway, has caused significant disruptions, particularly for travelers to and from Northern Uganda.
Members of Parliament (MPs) from the affected northern constituencies expressed their frustration with the alternative routes provided by the Ministry of Works and Transport. The MPs noted the inconvenience and increased costs faced by their constituents, including hiked transportation fees and mandatory charges for passing through Murchison Falls National Park.
During the plenary session, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa asked for government to engage MPs in discussions with stakeholder ministries to ensure all concerns are addressed.
“The works and tourism ministries have already met, but the resolutions are still contentious. Involving area MPs will ensure a solution that everyone can agree on.” he said
Kilak South County MP, Hon. Gilbert Olanya, first voiced concern over skyrocketing transport fares, citing that fares have jumped from UGX 30,000 to UGX 125,000 due to the lengthy detours. Additionally, Olanya called for the removal of the UGX 25,000 fee imposed on motorists passing through Murchison Falls National Park, arguing that it unfairly burdens travelers.
“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.
However, the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra, defended the fee, stating that opening the park to all vehicles could harm wildlife and disrupt tourism operations. He warned that allowing unrestricted access would create challenges in managing traffic within the park, which is intended primarily for tourism purposes.
Meanwhile, Kole District Woman Representative, Hon. Judith Alyek, who acknowledged the necessity of rehabilitating the bridge, stressed that the alternative routes should have been better planned to minimize inconvenience.
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.
MPs also called for an assessment of how to decentralize disaster and infrastructure management to prevent such disruptions in the future.
The meeting between the MPs and the relevant ministries is expected to help iron out these issues, as the public outcry continues. Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, has been tasked with coordinating the discussions and finding practical solutions to the current transport challenges.
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