The ferry is the major link for regional towns of Hoima, Kigorobya, Masindi, Biiso, Buliisa, Kikuube, and Wanseko in Bunyoro in the Albertine, and Panyimur, Dei, Pakwach, Nebbi, Paidha, and Arua in West Nile and Democratic- Republic of Congo.
The poor state of the road has left vehicles stranded, disrupted travel, and affected local businesses and essential services, including healthcare and education.
Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) personnel trained the soldiers, saving the country millions of shillings that would have been spent, had they been enrolled in a maritime school.
Evelyn Droru, one of the affected residents says that the floods were triggered by a two-day downpour received in the area. She further notes that access to schools have become a challenge for their children since all the connecting bridges in these areas are submerged.
Allan Ssempebwa, the spokesperson Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA told Uganda Radio Network in an interview on Tuesday evening that a team of UNRA officials including engineers and technical team is currently on ground inspecting, assessing and monitoring the water levels on the flooded bridge.
Speaking to the State Minister for Northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, who represented the President, Phillip Rauni Olarker III noted that tarmacking of the road will bring about development and economic benefits for the people and the districts.
The pier is currently in a sorry state, having been badly affected by recent storms and violent Lake Victoria waves resulting in water accidents that have also claimed several lives in recent weeks.
The road branches off from the Kampala-Entebbe highway at Kitala, snaking through the peninsular up to a first-class real estate project and a landing site where Katabi Town Council secured land for the fishing community a few years ago.
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.
