Buliisa traders count low profits despite closure of Karuma Bridge
He expected more clients from the diverted buses but has been disappointed by the lack of stopovers.
Buliisa: The closure of Karuma Bridge has had a significant impact on the business community in Buliisa District.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) announced the closure of the 61-year-old Karuma Bridge due to extensive cracks in the concrete deck.
The closure is expected to last for at least three months.
The bridge, which is a crucial link for traffic and trade, was closed for rehabilitation by the Ministry of Transport, leading to a diversion of traffic away from areas like Biiso town council.
Local businesses, including boda-boda riders, petrol stations, and roadside vendors, have reported a sharp decline in income. They were expecting to benefit from the increased traffic of buses and taxis, but the diversion has meant that these vehicles no longer make stopovers in their area.
Ronald Bikobo, the chairperson of Biiso Boda-Boda Riders Association in Biiso town council, told this publication on Tuesday that they were expecting to get clients from the buses and taxis coming through Masindi via Biiso-Buliisa to the Northern; unfortunately, they are not making stopovers in their center.
Benon Mbolekeze, another rider, notes that they used to transport clients who failed to get vehicles to Masindi, but following the total closure of Karuma Bridge, buses and taxis take their clients, thus they don’t earn anything.
Grace Katusiime, an attendant at the Ecotec petrol service station located at the Biiso-Masindi stage in Biiso town council, says that they were expecting to reap from buses and other vehicles, but their expectations have been cut short since they aren’t making stopovers.
William Babihemaiso, a roasted meat seller along Biiso-Hoima Road in Biiso town council, asserts that ever since the diversion, they have not gained as the travelers are not making any stopovers.
He says they were expecting to hawk their meat to the travelers.
The situation highlights the broader economic ripple effects that infrastructure projects can have on local communities.
Similarly, business operators along the Masindi-Kigumba road and Masindi-Port road have experienced changes in their income.
Chapatti sellers, like Benard Mweruuka, have seen increased demand due to the diversion of vehicles from the Gulu-Kampala Highway to the route via Murchison Falls National Park.
Ayebale Medinah, however, expressed concern that buses are bypassing their center, resulting in reduced earnings for businesses in the area.
Bashir Umar, a boda boda rider, expected more clients from the diverted buses but has been disappointed by the lack of stopovers.
Only Link Bus, which has an office in the area, makes stopovers, affecting other riders’ income.
Nathan Kiiza, the supervisor of Link Bus Services in Masindi, highlighted that the number of clients has decreased due to the diversion.
He stressed that some buses operate at night, contrary to park guidelines, which prohibit bus access beyond 7 p.m.
Kiiza appealed to the Ministry of Transport to expedite the bridge restoration process to minimize expenses related to fueling the bus.
Transport fare hiked
Brenda Anirwoth, a resident of Kigumba Town we found at Kisanja-Para Junction in Masindi, said initially they would pay Shs35,000 for transport fares to West Nile, but now they pay an extra fee of Shs10,000 for transport from Kigumba to Masindi, then board a bus to West Nile.
Calvin Musinguzi, an overseer at Kisanja-Paraa Junction, stresses that though the buses were diverted to transit through Murchison Falls National Park, travelers have nowhere to sit while waiting for business or taxis.
He said that though they are getting money from travelers, they are still facing a challenge of shelter and places of convenience, stressing that travelers have nowhere to ease themselves.
Peter Andama, a tout sat at the same junction, decries that the number of passengers has reduced compared to when they were transiting through Kampala-Gulu Highway.
He, however, said that they are getting new customers, though the number is still small.
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