Transport fares surge as UNRA diverts traffic from faulty Karuma Bridge

By Denish Ongora (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug) 

Lira City

Transport fares have increased drastically after the Uganda National Roas Authority-UNRA suspended the use of Karuma Bridge by heavy vehicles due to a fault cited on the bridge.

UNRA last week announced suspension on the use of Karuma Bridge by heavy vehicles for three months and advised that vehicles that carry more than 28 passengers from Gulu, Arua, Pakwach should use Luwero-Kafu-Masindi-Murchisons falls National game park route.

Vehicles from Lira Kotido, Abim, Pader, and Agago districts will use Dokolo-Soroti-Tirinyi-Jinja-Kampala route, starting today.

The secretary, Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association-UTODA, Bernard Anyeko Masanga said the travel fares have increased due to more fuel required to cover longer distances on the alternative routes. 

He said transport from Lira to Kampala has consequently increased from 30,000 shillings to 40,000 to 45,000 shillings while Gulu to Kampala will cost 50,000 shillings going forward.

Anyeko added that they are yet to assess the capacity of Amolatar and Kungu ferries to carry heavy vehicles and inform drivers accordingly.