Flooded seasonal rivers and muddy spots in Karamoja have held travelers and Motorists forcing them to suspended their journeys out of Karamoja as heavy rains demolish roads rendering them impassable.
Flooded seasonal rivers and muddy spots in Karamoja have held travelers and motorists hostage forcing them to suspend their journeys out of Karamoja as heavy rains demolish roads rendering them impassable.
Several vehicles that got stuck on Wednesday evening have had to be slowly retrieved from the mud at the outskirts of Moroto town amidst sudden downpours.
The road linking Moroto to Mbale has been cut off at Okudud in Nakapiripirit district including Tabakony and Bunambutye areas in Bulambuli district. Soroti-Moroto road remains nearly impassable as most sections of the road have been destroyed by storm water. The most affected areas include flooded Olilim areas in Katakwi district and a 10 kilometer stretch from Moroto town to the Nakapiripirit-Napak junction.
Naburi Lorika, a farmer in Namalu areas in Nakapiripirit district, says transport to Mbale is very difficult. He explains that since Tuesday night neither cars nor travellers have moved out of Nakapiripirit district. He notes that in the next few days, they will resort to tractors as means of transport to Mbale and the neighbouring districts.
He says,
//cue in: “It’s very clear.,
Cue out: …out of Karamoja.”//
Hassan Mohammed, a truck driver plying Moroto-Soroti road, says the road conditions are worsening. He adds that since the onset of rains last week he has encountered a lot of issues along the Karamoja roads. He explains that they were supposed to pick passengers and continue to various destinations. He adds it has not been possible due to the muddy roads adding that they may be forced to suspend business till sunny days return in the sub region.
Elsewhere, the road linking Kotido to Lira via Abim has been cut off at a flooded Kanawat bridge with road users being held hostage.
Abu Baker Musikho, the District Police Commander Kotido says the police are in full force to alleviate the dilemma of the road users. She advises motorists and commuters to respect flooded areas along the road by being patient to allow water levels recede.
Efforts to talk to Uganda National Road Authority Engineer-Moroto Hassan Ssentamu were futile as his phone was unavailable.
Olandason Wanyama
Guest