The ferry completed its first crossing from Laropi Landing Site to Omi Landing Site after engineers from the Ministry of Works and Transport repaired a mechanical fault that developed shortly after routine maintenance carried out on Friday.
The restoration of services ended hours of disruption that affected travel between the two districts. While many passengers waited at the landing sites for repairs to be completed, others were forced to divert to the Obongi Ferry as an alternative route.
The Laropi Ferry is one of the most important transport links in the Ma'di Sub-region, connecting Moyo and Adjumani districts while serving travellers heading to Kampala, West Nile and neighbouring South Sudan.
The ferry transports more than 2,000 passengers, over 150 vehicles and about 200 motorcycles every day, making it a critical crossing for trade, public transport, humanitarian operations and the movement of goods and services across the River Nile.
A Ministry of Works and Transport official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said engineers spent Saturday morning repairing the ferry's engine and gearbox before successfully restoring it to operation.
The official confirmed that the vessel completed its first trip after the repairs and has since resumed normal services.
The breakdown occurred shortly after routine maintenance conducted on Friday between midday and 5pm. Although the ferry briefly returned to service after the maintenance, it developed mechanical problems at around 9pm, forcing authorities to suspend operations.
The disruption left many travellers stranded overnight and delayed the transportation of goods and services across the River Nile.
Among those affected was Rose Eimani, who was travelling from Moyo Town Council to Kampala on a business trip.
"It is frustrating because you plan your journey only to spend hours waiting for the ferry. Government has taken too long to construct the Laropi Bridge, yet this is a vital crossing for thousands of people every day," Eimani said.
Moyo District Woman Member of Parliament Bernadette Chandia Kodili said she would raise the matter with the Ministry of Works and Transport and seek a lasting solution to the recurring breakdowns.
"I will engage officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport to establish the cause of these recurring breakdowns and raise the matter on the floor of Parliament so that the relevant stakeholders can address it," Chandia said.
Although ferry services have resumed, the latest breakdown has renewed calls from leaders, residents and the business community for the government to expedite construction of the long-awaited Laropi Bridge.
They argue that while the ferry has served the region for years, recurring mechanical failures continue to disrupt trade, delay emergency response, affect humanitarian operations, increase transport costs and inconvenience thousands of travellers who rely on the River Nile crossing each day.