Oyam, Uganda – The Karuma Bridge, a critical connection between northern Uganda and the rest of the country, officially reopened to traffic on December 20, 2024, following three months of rehabilitation.
The closure, which began on September 23, 2024, was prompted by a road inspection by Minister Katumba Wamala, revealing severe structural damage, including worn-out bearings, damaged expansion joints, and cracks.
The reopening, officiated by State Minister for Works Musa Ecweru, marks a return to convenience for motorists but has triggered an economic downturn for boat operators who thrived during the bridge’s closure.
During the bridge’s rehabilitation, over 50 boats operated across the River Nile at routes like Atura and Panymeda, connecting Oyam District to Kiryandongo District. These boats provided a vital transportation link for passengers and goods, with operators transporting hundreds daily and earning substantial income.
Francis Okecha, Managing Director of Navigator Nile Transporters, which operates between Panymeda, Okwe “A” in Kiryandongo and Te-tochi, Kamdini in Oyam District, described the reopening as a devastating blow to the business.
“Our daily earnings have plummeted from around 200,000 Ugandan Shillings to just 50,000 Ugandan Shillings. Before, we transported over 100 passengers a day, but now we barely get any,” Okecha shared with Dokolo Post.
To adapt, Okecha and his team are considering relocating their business to Lake Victoria, hoping for a better transport business there.
At Atura landing site, the story is the same. Boat controller George Opota said many operators are exploring alternative livelihoods as passenger numbers dwindle.
“We were thriving during the bridge’s closure, but now we have no customers. It’s a tough situation,” Opota said.
The ripple effects are being felt across the local economy. Families dependent on boat transport and the communities that supported these businesses are now facing financial strain.
Operators who invested heavily in boats and equipment during the bridge’s closure are struggling to recover their investments.
While the Karuma Bridge’s reopening has restored ease of travel for road users, it has rendered the boat transport sector unsustainable.
Okecha and other industry stakeholders are urging the government to intervene, suggesting measures such as diversifying boat routes or introducing subsidies to sustain the sector.
As northern Uganda adjusts to the return of road transport dominance, boat operators along the Nile face an uncertain future. Their success during the bridge’s closure now seems like a fleeting moment, leaving them to navigate the challenges of adapting to a diminished market.
