Tom Tibyangye, a special hire driver, says that while using the space, he saw UNRA trucks pouring soil while tractors dug holes in the remaining part. Tibyangye says that they were never given prior notice to vacate the space and reasons why UNRA no longer wants them to use it.
According to a circular from the Authority, UNRA will introduce a ferry to operate as an alternative means of transport so as to support light vehicles, which would include; pickups, saloon cars, and minivans with up to six passengers and not exceeding 80 per crossing.
Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke who was heading the panel has ordered for the file to be taken back to the Registrar with orders that it be reallocated to a new panel and fixed for hearing as soon as possible.
The earmarked oil roads measure 97 kilometres in Hoima, Buliisa Masindi and Kikuube districts. They include the 54-kilometre Masindi-Biiso road, the 25 kilometres of Hohwa-Nyairongo-Kyarushesha-Butole and 25.7 kilometres of Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi road.
UNRA spokesperson, Allan Ssempebwa, says that ferry services will be suspended on Thursday and Friday this week to allow the routine repair and maintenance services.
In a suit filed before the Civil Division of High Court in Kampala, the businessman John Mugisha says that on December 13, 2018, UNRA notified him to halt construction works on his land located at block 185, plot 967 Namugongo along the -Kasangati Road, to pave way for an assessment of the property because it was one of those affected by the road project.
The government first mooted the proposal to merge its departments and agencies in 2018. It stemmed from reports indicating that many agencies were redundant, underperforming and duplicating work, yet they take chunks of money for their operations.
Lucy Anena, a hotel owner in Corner Kilak in Pader district, says recently dozens of vehicles en-route to Lira City and Kitgum districts got stuck along the road.
According to Kasasira, the officers opened fire to stop the duo that was riding with another person on the truck after they refused to stop at the Weigh bridge. He says the officers first shot at the tyres and in the air but one of the bullets hit Katuramu in the chest while another caught Bimanyirwoha on the head.
The Authority had initially planned to evict the taxi's on account that they are the leading cause of traffic jams and accidents along the Northern bypass. It had, on this basis, asked the taxi operators to leave areas adjacent to the 21-kilometre bypass and return to the gazetted taxi parks.
In a statement issued by UNRA, “The creation of these taxi stages has reduced the size of the road surface available to vehicular traffic resulting into congestion along these sections and this has in turn created safety hazards for other road users.”
The drivers have been stuck for days along the Kasese-Bwera road after flood-driven debris piled at Mpondwe bridge that connects Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo following heavy rains on Thursday. The disaster cut off access for heavy truck drivers to the two countries, through Mpondwe.
Area residents argue that parts of the road are now impassable due to deep potholes. The most affected parts are Kangondo, Mukambu-kendengye, Kitwe, and Nyamukono in Rukiga Town Council. Part of the road was also destroyed by landslides in Butobere Central Division and Muyumbu in Kyanamira sub-county, Kabale district.
“But the case at hand is about charging the applicants members with fees without any legislation. The KCCA has been illegally collecting taxes based on City Outdoor Advertising Policy. This is erroneous and illegal. Taxes, levies or charges are imposed by law duly enacted and policy of KCCA,” said Ssekaana.
Patrick Twesigwome and Denis Kabudene Ampumuza, concerned taxi operators say that chasing them in front of the yard has left them stranded with nowhere to operate from.
Uganda received heavy rains in the last quarter of 2019, resulting in massive damage on roads and bridges, among other areas. Many of the roads became impassable as culverts were swept away, surfaces caved in and rivers burst their banks, especially in the districts of Mbale, Jinja, Masaka and Pakwach, among others.
Charles Alex Bogere, the Ferry Master at Masindi Port says one of the engines became fault while in motion crossing the river with passengers promoting them to immediately suspending operation.
Whereas a team of UNRA engineers are already working on the faulty engine, Bogere told URN they are not yet aware about when the ferry may resume operation.
