The government’s decision to completely shut down Karuma Bridge for repairs has sparked worries about its impact on school-going children and residents seeking health services.
Local leaders say the complete closure of Karuma Bridge, a key connection between northern Uganda and the rest of the country has left some districts in isolation, with uncertainty over the fate of school-going children commuting daily to attend school.
Chris Ongom, the vice chairperson for Oyam District, said the closure that started today, September 23rd, has left the district that heavily relies on the bridge for transportation and access to essential services in isolation.
“There might be alternative routes, but the reality is that Oyam District will be isolated. Karuma Bridge is a critical artery for people travelling between Oyam and major towns. Its complete closure will severely disrupt lives, especially for vulnerable groups. The government should consider bringing some speed boats to help us during this period,” says Ongom.
Ongom, however, described the government’s move to repair the bridge as necessary to ensure the long-term safety of the bridge but stressed the gravity of the immediate challenges that would arise from its closure.
Many students in Kamdini Sub-county commute daily to schools in nearby districts, including Nwoya and Kiryandongo.
With Karuma Bridge closed, Milly Acen, a resident of Kamdini Town Council, said students will face longer, more costly, and difficult journeys to access their education.
“This could lead to increased absenteeism and a drop in school attendance rates, particularly for families with limited financial means to afford alternate transportation routes,” says Acen.
Janet Achol, the district inspector of schools for Oyam District, said the closure will affect access to examination materials, especially in preparation for the Primary Leaving Examination.
Recently, some Members of Parliament including; Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya and West Moyo MP Tom Aza, expressed the devastating impact of the bridge’s closure on the business community and cross-border trade with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The MPs questioned why the government has not considered temporarily opening the newly constructed bridge at Karuma Dam instead of diverting traffic through Masindi-Murchison Falls Game Park and other distant routes. Karuma Bridge is a crucial link for patients from Oyam District seeking specialized medical care in Lira and Gulu, where larger hospitals are located.
James Okello, a resident of Nora trading centre said the complete closure of the bridge will severely affect access to health services as locals will now have to use longer detours, increasing the time it takes to reach health facilities, which could be life-threatening in cases of emergencies.
“We are talking about pregnant mothers who might need urgent medical attention, patients with critical conditions, and the elderly. For them, alternative routes are not just inconvenient. They could be dangerous due to the long distances involved,” says Okello.
For his part, the State Minister for Works, Peter Ecwero, said the ministry will assess the possibility of deploying speed boats to help in emergency cases.
“We need to know what’s peculiar to Oyam. It seems to be an island that may not be served very well by coming through alternative routes. We are going to make the studies and bring speed boats to help those going to school and the mothers going to the hospital,” says Minister Ecwero
