In Arua City, locals are demanding better road expansion and clear guidelines for street vending and parking. Streets like Avenue, Adumi, Rhino Camp, Go down, and Idi Amin are witnessing unregulated parking of cars, boda-boda cyclists, and trucks, which is causing the roads to become narrower.
The situation is similar on Lemerijoa Road, where roadside vendors further complicate matters, making it difficult for pedestrians and cars to move without obstacles. The narrow roads have become accident-prone areas as drivers, pedestrians, and motorists struggle to navigate due to double parking.
The roads now have reduced carriageway and pedestrian lanes because of cars parked on the streets, combined with the city’s high population. Mr. Salim Ali, one of the drivers who frequently parks on the streets, mentioned that there are insufficient parking provisions, forcing them to park in inappropriate places. He suggested that city authorities should regulate storied buildings to include ground parking spaces to alleviate the problem.
Ms. Joyce Avako, a car owner, expressed her fear of parking in the city center due to potential damage to her vehicle. She often resorts to using boda bodas for transactions to avoid scratches, which can be costly to repair. She also highlighted the congestion on Adumi Road caused by trucks parking on both sides for unloading goods.
City Physical Planner Mr. Moses Findru acknowledged the challenges and emphasized the need for wider dual carriageways to divert trucks from congested roads.
Arua City’s population has been steadily growing, with the 2023 projection reaching 361,400, fueled by its strategic location and role as a trade route between Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The influx of vehicles from neighboring countries has exacerbated the street parking problem, as traders and nationals from Congo and South Sudan rely on Arua City for goods and services.
City planning authorities recognize the need for road re-planning to address these issues. The improved road network has boosted trade both regionally and across borders, making Arua City a vital regional trade hub attracting people from various areas.
