By KT Reporter
The Ministry of Works and Transport is financially incapacitated of carrying out major repairs on the Wanseko-Panyimur ferry services.
The ferry services were suspended last month by the Ministry of Works and Transport after it developed mechanical defects, which required it to be put out of service for repairs to guarantee its safe and safe operations. Since then, the ferry has not been operating.
The Works and Transport Ministry then advised passengers to use an alternative route by road through Murchison National Park via Masindi-Kampala and Masindi National Park via Buliisa-Hoima-Kampala.
Allan Ssempebwa, the communications officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, says that the ministry lacks funds to undertake the repair works on the ferry. He, however, says the ministry is doing all it can to mobilise resources to ensure that the detected defects are fixed so that the ferry can resume operations.
The Albert Nile ferry plies the 12-nautical-mile route from Panyimur in Pakwach district to Wanseko in Buliisa district thrice a day.
The ferry is also the major link for regional towns like Hoima, Kigorobya, Masindi, Biiso, Buliisa, Kikuube, and Wanseko in Bunyoro in the Albertine, and Panyimur, Dei, Pakwach, Nebbi, Paidha, and Arua in West Nile and the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC.
Thousands of people from various parts of the country use the ferry for various reasons, including business.
The prolonged suspension of the ferry has taken a huge toll on business in Buliisa and Pakwach districts.
Boat transporters have also taken advantage of the suspension of the ferry services to hike their fares. The transporters have hiked their transport fares, charging passengers exorbitantly.
Currently, passengers crossing from Wanseko landing site in Buliisa to Panyimur fish market in Pakwach have to pay between 10,000 to 20,000 Shillings, yet initially, when the ferry was operational, a passenger would only pay 5,000 Shillings to cross to either side.
Christine Asiimwe, a resident of Wanseko landing site in Buliisa, says, currently, water transport has become too expensive following the suspension of the ferry services.
She wants the transport and works ministry to expedite the process of repairing the docking pier for passengers to be relieved from paying a lot of money.
Charles Okumu, a shop attendant at Panyimur landing site in Pakwach district, says that ever since the ferry services were suspended, his business has suffered due to the lack of clients.
In October 2024, UNRA temporarily suspended the operations of the Wanseko-Panyimur ferry following mechanical defects.
In July 2022, UNRA suspended the operations of the Wanseko-Panyimur ferry when the water levels at its docking pier at Wanseko landing site drastically reduced and could not allow effective landing.
This paralysed business and transport between the Bunyoro and West Nile regions for long-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
