The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has temporarily suspended operations of the Wanseko-Panyimur ferry, which connects Buliisa to Pakwach, citing mechanical issues that require maintenance.
No specific timeframe has been provided for the repair work, and passengers have been advised to use alternative routes through Murchison National Park to reach either Pakwach or Buliisa.
Alan Ssempebwa, UNRA’s spokesperson, explained that regular maintenance is crucial to ensure ferry safety.
“Like any other transport, the ferry faces mechanical challenges that cannot be resolved while in the water. We suspend operations temporarily to allow our engineers to fix the issues, as safety is our top priority,” he said.
Ms Ssempebwa added that while the maintenance work has begun, an exact completion date remains uncertain.
“Unfortunately, we have only one ferry on the Wanseko-Panyimur route, so we urge the public to bear with us as we work on these repairs.”
The suspension has raised concerns among local leaders about the impact on business. Fred Lukumu, Chairman of Buliisa District, highlighted the disruption to trade.
“Buliisa residents depend heavily on trading across the waters to Pakwach. When the ferry is down, it not only affects passenger transport but also business activities, including the transport of food and fish,” he said, urging UNRA to expedite the repairs.
Buliisa District Woman MP Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha has called on the government to consider deploying a second ferry for the route, citing increased trade between Buliisa, Northern Uganda, and West Nile.
“The current ferry is no longer sufficient given the demands of our booming trade. We need another ferry to sustain operations,” Bigirwa appealed.
In the absence of the ferry, many passengers are resorting to boats, with fares ranging from Shs15,000 to Shs20,000 per person, and luggage costs between Shs5,000 to Shs10,000, depending on size and weight.