APAC-The delay by Uganda National Roads Authority [UNRA] to repair Masindi Port ferry has irked local residents who use it for transportation.
The ferry, which connects residents in Apac to Kiryandongo districts through Masindi Port and Kungu routes across River Nile, broke down two weeks ago, leaving several travelers stranded.
The breakdown of the ferry has affected business in Apac district, Masindi Port, and Kigumba in Kiryandongo district. Travelers are now using Masindi port junction through Karuma Bridge and Nakasongola junction through Lake Kyoga to Amolatar district for those traveling to northern Uganda.
Tonny Odyero, a taxi operator and a resident of Alenga in Ibuje town council said the breakdown of the ferry has affected his business, asking UNRA to expedite the process of repairing the broken ferry.
“We are now taking a long route from Apac-Lira-Karuma to Kampala. Prices of commodities have shoot-up. Imagine a bottle of soda is now selling at shs.2000 from shs.1000 because of transport issues. I appeal to UNRA to immediately repair the ferry to save us,” he said.
Maxwell Ogwal, a prison warder and a resident of Amocal in Apac district said, “I have been using the ferry to connect to Kampala but I am now stuck.”
Meanwhile, Patricia Acen, a fishmonger said, “I have been supplying fish to Kiryandongo but I am now sitting at home because there is no business as transport has made things difficult.”
Allan Ssempebwa, head of corporate communications at UNRA did not respond to the repeated phone calls made to him to seek his comment on the matter.
However, Richard Egesa, Masindi Port Ferry Master said they are in the process of procuring some spares to fix the faulty ferry.
“Let them be calm. Government is doing everything possible to repair the faulty ferry. They are still mobilising the equipment to work on the landing site and waiving some leakages we have on the vessels. I am not certain when the ferry will resume but when we have solved that problem, I think the UNRAPRO will let the public know when the vessel will resume work,” he told this reporter in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
https://thecooperator.news/unra-suspends-masindi-port-ferry-operations/
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