The planned suspension of the Laropi ferry service for 18 days of maintenance has sparked mixed reactions among locals and travellers. The locals, travellers and traders are worried that the transport system will be disrupted, affecting their movement and income.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, which oversees the operations of the ferry between Moyo and Adjumani districts, announced that the ferry service will be suspended for maintenance for 18 days, which runs from November 10 to November 28.
In a November 3 letter, the Permanent Secretary at the Works ministry, Mr Bageya Waiswa, said the ministry would conduct periodic maintenance on the MV Laropi ferry, which connects Moyo and Adjumani via the Laropi-Umi route. He said the maintenance is aimed at improving the ferry’s reliability and safety as an interim measure ahead of comprehensive repairs and rehabilitation.
‘Therefore, ferry services across the Laropi-Umi route will be temporarily suspended to allow our technical team to carry out the necessary works,’ the letter reads in part.
Speaking to Monitor on Wednesday, a taxi driver on the Moyo-Adjumani route, Mr Ronald Anyivu, said: ‘I depend on this route. I make at least two trips a day and save about Shs50,000 daily, which helps me provide for my family and pay school fees. I don’t know what I will do during this period. The 18 days are a lot for business.’
Mr Anyivu suggested that if the government cannot construct a bridge soon, it should consider deploying an additional ferry so that services continue when one ferry is not in use, especially when they are taken for maintenance.
The leaders in West Nile Sub-region have been pushing for the construction of Laropi Bridge on the River Nile to facilitate easy movement of people and goods. But this has not been forthcoming.
The Director of Zawadi Bus Services, Mr Simon Amajuru, said the company was assessing the alternative route provided to determine whether or not the Arua-bound buses can continue operating from Adjumani via Obongi.
“We understand the risks involved. The closure will affect our operations, but we have no choice. For now, we may have to limit our service to Moyo and use Obongi to Arua City route,’ he explained.
Mr Amajuru said they are considering suspension of buses for the direct route from Adjumani to Moyo. While the bus from Arua will stop in Moyo. Ms Beatrice Ajiko, who runs a makeshift restaurant at the ferry landing site, said her business relies heavily on passengers using the ferry. She added that during the 18 days of the ferry’s closure, she will have to seek alternative means of earning a living.
‘I borrow money from money lenders and repay it weekly. This closure will disrupt my loan repayment schedule,’ she explained. The ministry advised the public to use alternative routes, including Moyo-Yumbe-Koboko-Arua-Karuma road. While travellers from Moyo can use the Obongi-Adjumani-Atiak-Gulu route. People from Kampala travelling to Moyo can use the Arua-Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo route. And also those heading to Obongi-MV Obongi ferry-Adjumani. Mr Jude Adiga, a regular traveller on Moyo-Adjumani route, said the government should prioritise the construction of Laropi Bridge.
‘Using the boats is risky because of the terrible wind that leads to capsizing. These boat riders also overload them, which is dangerous. And we had cases where hippopotamus could attack the boats and this can be risky,’ he said.
According to a December 2024 report from the Works ministry, the government has received financing from the African Development Bank towards the construction of the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji Road (39.3km), Laropi Bridge (1.0km), and 5km of town roads , among others.