Passengers decry heavy traffic, delays in Masindi Port ferry services

*Passengers and vehicles wait to use a ferry at Masindi port*

By Joshua Olomo (joshua.olomo@vol.co.ug)

Apac

Passengers who use Lira-Apac-Kiryadongo route have decried delays experienced in Masindi Port ferry services especially at this time when the number of passengers using this route has surged.

On 6/5/24, the Uganda National Roads Authority, (UNRA) closed operations of Karuma bridge to heavy vehicles but only allowed vehicles with capacity to carry a maximum of 28 passengers to use the Bridge after a crack was cited on it.

UNRA announced the closure would last three months to allow for repair works on Karuma Bridge, forcing some vehicles to use Masindi Port ferry service to proceed with their journey to other districts.

The ferry that connects Apac district to Kiryandongo district has capacity of carrying only three vehicles at a time causing delays as over 50 vehicles use this route per day.

Luyiga Junior one of the drivers who uses this route to connect to Kampala called on government to intervene and improve transport system on the road.

Oloya Abubakar, the chairperson Waitumba Moto Cycle Boda Boda Association said they are facing delays using this ferry due to high number of passengers using this route.

Joel Opio from Kiryandongo also said they are facing serious difficulties using this route due to delays caused by heavy traffic.

Bogere Charles the Ferry Master of Masindi Port referred our reporter to UNRA Public Relations Officer Allan Ssempewa Kyobe who did not answer our calls for a comment.