The installation of the ferry by the Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA will connect Uganda and Eastern DRC. It will have the capacity to carry more than 40 tonnes and 150 passengers.
The government
has completed the construction of a ferry at Hayibale landing Site in
Rwebisengo Sub County, Ntoroko District.
The installation
of the ferry by the Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA will
connect Uganda and Eastern DRC. It will have the capacity to carry more than 40
tonnes and 150 passengers. It comes at the time when UPDF and FARDC forces are hunting down the Allied Democratic forces –ADF in Virunga and Ituri forests, Eastern
Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC.
Major General Kayanja Muhanga, the overall Commander Operation Shujja, and a delegation from Eastern DRC on Tuesday inspected the
installation works.
Muhanga said
that the ferry will boost the ongoing operation against the ADF rebels in
Eastern DRC.
Muhanga said
that UPDF and the Congolese Army have also resolved to open a new operation
axis that will stretch along Kasindi-Beni road to ensure the ADF rebels are
fought from both sides. The new axis will also secure the
Kasindi-Beni-Butembo road construction project in DRC.
“This ferry
will create a multiplier effect in security and trade between the two
countries,” Muhanga said.
Omukama Rutahaba Ibanda of Mutego Kingdom who led the DRC delegation said the
poor infrastructure connecting the two countries has been a huge economic and
security setback.
“My people
have been having difficulties traveling from Beni cross Lake Albert to Ntoroko
and Bundibugyo Districts,” Ibanda said.
Joseph Wembabazi, the Ferry Maintenance Officer from UNRA said they are set to
do tests this week to ensure the ferry is ready to start
operations.
Major Peter
Mugisa, the operation Shujaa Spokesperson said the installation of the
ferry is timely. According to Mugisa, the operation against the ADF has faced
various challenges which include difficult terrain which has prolonged lines of
communication.
//Cue in: “This ferry is going…
Cue out: ….to Congo.”//
Last year, President
Yoweri Museveni and his DRC counterpart Felix Tshisekedi commissioned the start
of the construction work of roads in the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC.
The
government of Uganda, through the Minister for Works and Transport, is
injecting up to 243.7 Billion Shillings into the construction of the roads
measuring 223km.
The roads consist of the Kasindi section at the border to Beni (80km) plus the
integration of the Beni-Butembo stretch (54km). It also consists of the
Bunagana to Rutsuru-Goma Road (89km).
