Bus fare up north nearly doubled after Karuma Bridge closure

The ongoing inspections at the Karuma Bridge have led to a sharp increase in transport fares in Gulu City, a journey to Kampala now taking a traveller back by Shs50,000 by bus. This is an increase of Shs20,000.

The rise in transport fare is attributed to the longer diversion route through Pakwach Road to Murchison fFalls National Park.

The bridge is, for the next three months, open to only passenger vehicles carrying less than 28 persons. Lorries, trailers and buses with a big mass weight are not allowed to cross through the bridge.

The design engineer, David Tomusange, says the bearings on one side of the bridge have worn out, which could be catastrophic if heavy vehicles continue to use the bridge.

The Uganda National Roads Authority has thus started a phased movement of small vehicles and motorcycles across the old Karuma bridge.

"As you are approaching Gulu side, the bearings so far we see have worn out. tests are still ongoing, we are still trying to assess the bridge to see whether it can still hold this traffic," says Tomusange.

He said they are undertaking a three-day inspection, and so far they have identified that the bearings in the bridge have worn out.

The bridge, constructed in 1963, has a lifespan of 50 years, which elapsed 11 years ago.

The government has been planning to construct a new dual carriage cable bridge in the make of the New River Nile Bridge in Jinja City.

The plans are held back by lack of funds although it appears like the fate of the old Karuma Bridge is pushing the bucks on the scale.

The diversions have caused travel chaos for many, along with the economic cost.

"Gulu to Kampala used to be six hours but now prolonged up to 10 hours, therefore because of the distance the fare is now Shs50,000," says Nathan Alione, a bus operator with Opit Travellers.

Mr Godfrey Okema, a ticket clerk with HMK Bus company, says the diversion is a long one and it makes them plead with customers to pay due to the fact that they incur a lot in fuel expenses.

"It's a long distance when we see everyday how we used to travel to Karuma because with the price of fuel, you have to take a lot of fuel to see you reach that distance. it is therefore a big impact to us as a company," says Okema.

Meanwhile, two anonymous travellers who have endured the long journey from Kampala to Gulu were left both physically and financially drained after using a bus through the Murchison Falls National Park.

After entering the park jurisdictions at 4pm they emerged at 7pm.

"My God, most of the people had bought only one bottle of water when leaving Kampala, so when the bus reached Kafu, they thought an additional bottle would be enough but by the time we were inside the park (Murchison), the majority of the travellers had run out of water and we started to beg and share with each other," a travelers said.

This scenario is a learning lesson for the majority of the travellers who have never used the road through the park, because in the park travelers are not allowed to stop and there are no refreshment points.

The well-maintained asphalt road inside the park is 12km with additional extensions on either side but with a strict speed limit of 40km/h and several speed bumps, it takes more than an hour to cross the park.

As a footnote, it's important to note that most travelers from Gulu to Kampala now prefer to use taxis or smaller vehicles in order to avoid the long alternative routes.