KIRYANDONGO – Uganda National Roads Authority [ UNRA ] has temporarily suspended ferry operations at Masindi Port until September 19, 2022, due to a technical glitch.
The ferry connects Kiryandongo and Apac districts through Masindi Port and Kungu route across River Nile.
In a press statement issued days ago, Allan Ssempebwa Kyobe, UNRA’s head of corporate communications at UNRA said that the ferry has experienced some technical glitches on some of the key components thus necessitating emergency maintenance on both the ferry and the landing site.
“The services at this ferry crossing have been temporarily halted from 22nd August to 18th September 2022,” the statement reads in part.
According to Ssempebwa, during the period UNRA will carry out ferry maintenance and landing site aimed at guaranteeing safe and reliable ferry services.
He said that the ferry is estimated to resume operations on September 19, 2022.
The passengers traveling to northern Uganda are now advised to use the alternative route by road through Rwenkunye-Karuma-Apac in the meantime.
“We regret the inconvenience caused,’ reads part of a statement shared by Ssempebwa.
However, taxi operators plying the Lira-Apac route via Masindi port ferry to Kampala are worried the suspension will affect their business.
Jimmy Ojok, one of the tax drivers plying Lira-Apac route via Masindi Port ferry to Kampala told the Cooperator that he prefers using Masindi Port ferry while taking passengers to Kampala since it is shorter compared to the Lira-Kamdini route through Karuma Bridge.
This is the second time UNRA has suspended the operations of Masindi Port ferry due to a technical glitch in a space of one year.
In May 2021, UNRA temporally halted the ferry services to conduct an emergency repair.
The ferry has since September 2019 been in a sorry state, sometimes failing to support the weight of the load it carries.
Following complaints from passengers, UNRA has since then introduced new guidelines for the users.
In the guideline, UNRA reduced the number of travelers from 300 to 120 on each trip, introduced security checks for all travelers and goods, and that all the vehicles that use the ferry must be in good condition and licensed.
Ssempebwa explained that the guidelines were meant to ensure the safety of travelers.
https://thecooperator.news/unra-starts-maintenance-on-nebbi-goli-road-after-public-outcry/
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