Following the temporary closure of Karuma Bridge by the Ministry of Transport last month due to renovation work, boat transporters at Atura landing site in Atura Parish, Aber Sub County, Oyam District, are happy as their business of transporting people from Oyam District to Kiryandongo District on the River Nile is booming.
Their business began to thrive as soon as Karuma Bridge was blocked. Many people are now using boats through Atura landing site in Oyam District to cross the River Nile to Kiryandongo District and also to return to Oyam District.
George Opota, a boat controller at Atura landing site, says that at the moment their business is doing well, and they are making good money each day. They earn between 70,000 and 80,000 UGX, compared to previous days when they used to make only 30,000 to 40,000 UGX a day.
Opota mentions that they charge 5,000 UGX per person without luggage; with luggage, they charge 7,000 UGX for a two-mile crossing of the Nile to Kiryandongo District or back to Oyam District.
Currently, there are 14 boats at Atura landing site.
