By Spy Uganda
Lawmakers from Northern Uganda are protesting the UGX25,000 fee imposed on every traveller passing through Murchison Falls National Park, in addition to the high charges on vehicle owners, after the closure of Karuma Bridge for critical repairs due to structural cracks.
Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya expressed concern over the financial burden these charges are placing on travellers, with bus operators paying UGX210,000 per trip and smaller vehicles being charged UGX40,000. These fees, coupled with the passenger levy, have caused transport costs to Northern Uganda to skyrocket.
“Buses are paying UGX210,000 per trip, and each passenger is charged UGX25,000. Taxis are charged UGX40,000, and passengers must also pay UGX25,000 each. I personally paid UGX40,000 for my vehicle and UGX25,000 for myself. The people of Northern Uganda are deeply unhappy. The fare from Kitgum-Gulu-Kampala has now surged to UGX125,000, up from the previous UGX30,000-UGX40,000,” said Olanya.
Last week, Minister of Works and Transport Katumba Wamala announced the full closure of Karuma Bridge, a key connection linking the Acholi, West Nile, and Lango regions to the rest of Uganda. The bridge, built in 1962 with a 50-year lifespan, is undergoing critical repairs expected to last 3-4 months. The government will demolish the bridge deck, replace bearings, and restore joints, extending the bridge’s life by 2-5 years.
During the closure, alternative routes have been provided. Travelers from Kampala to Gulu and West Nile are directed to use the Luweero-Kafu-Masindi-Para route, while those heading to Lira can take the Rwenkunye-Apac route or the Iganga-Nakalama-Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi-Soroti road. Travelers to West Nile can use the road through Murchison Falls National Park, but access is subject to conditions set by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Antiquities, which manages the park.
Olanya has urged the Ministry of Tourism to temporarily waive park fees for vehicles passing through Murchison Falls until the repairs on Karuma Bridge are completed. He also called on the Ministry of Works to open the Sino Bridge at Karuma for small vehicles, highlighting the difficulties residents face in accessing essential services like hospitals and farms on the other side of the bridge.
Kole District Woman Representative Judith Alyek echoed these concerns, questioning the planning behind the alternative routes. “I wonder why the Ministry of Works and Transport cannot allow traffic to use the eastern side of the Karuma falls,” Alyek stated.
Minister of State for Tourism, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, acknowledged the issue but rejected the idea of opening all park routes. He cited the challenge of differentiating between tourist and public vehicles, explaining that buses will be permitted to use the Masindi-Bugungu Junction Road, while other vehicles must take the Hoima-Bugungu Junction Road.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa criticized the Ministry of Tourism’s emphasis on revenue collection, arguing that the increased transport costs are harming the livelihoods and businesses in Northern Uganda. He urged the ministry to meet with regional MPs to resolve the matter, emphasizing that these issues cannot be solved on the floor of Parliament.
“You didn’t collect revenue during Covid. The revenue you’re now trying to collect doesn’t compare to the damage these fees will cause to businesses in the region,” Tayebwa stated.
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