Many business owners in Karuma and Kamdini towns are facing difficulties because of new rules about who can cross the Karuma Bridge.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) made an announcement on May 3, 2024. They said that starting on May 6, heavy trucks, big buses, and vehicles carrying more than 28 passengers can’t use the bridge.
Jordan Komakech, who has a business in Karuma Town Council, is worried. He says they’re already losing money because the big trucks and buses, which were their main customers, can’t come anymore.
“It won’t take long. In just two weeks, all the small businesses will have to close because some of us are working with loans,” Komakech said sadly.
In Karuma and Kamdini towns, people who sell things on the roadside say they’re not making as much money now. They usually depend on travelers to buy things from them. Since Monday, they’ve noticed fewer people passing by.
Karuma, which is usually busy with big trucks, looked almost empty on Monday. Most of the shops were closed by 7:00 pm.
In Kamdini, a town in Oyam district, there were fewer big trucks coming from Lira going to Gulu and Arua.
Most of the sellers in town are young people and women. They looked sad because not many customers were coming.
One bus that usually goes to Gulu stopped at the security checkpoint in Arua. The passengers got off there and took motorcycles to Karuma. From Karuma, they got on another bus to Kampala.
Julius Hakiza, who works for the police in the Albertine Region, says he knows it’s not easy for people because of the new rules. But he says it’s important to follow the UNRA’s directions.
He warns drivers not to ignore the rules. If they do, the police will take action. They might even arrest them or take away their vehicles.
“We’re asking them to work with us and do what UNRA says. They should use the other roads until the work on the bridge is finished and it’s open again,” Hakiza said.
