Works on Tirinyi Road delayed
THE re-construction of a collapsed culvert at River Mpologoma on the Tirinyi highway has delayed, causing hikes in transport fares between Kampala and Mbale.
By George Bita
THE re-construction of a collapsed culvert at River Mpologoma on the Tirinyi highway has delayed, causing hikes in transport fares between Kampala and Mbale.
The Ministry of Works temporarily closed the route three weeks ago and promised to complete the re-construction within four days.
Vehicles have been restricted from using the Tirinyi route with a Police notice to that effect placed at the Nakalama trading centre junction.
Ramesh Patel, the site foreman for Spencon, said work began shortly before Christmas Day but they had to send workers for the festive season break.
“The main work involved is not all that much. We could do it within four days. It just involves laying the metallic culverts on a cement basement before levelling the road,†Patel said.
Two temporary taxi parks have since been set up on the tarmac by the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers’ Association on either side of the river that separates Namutumba and Pallisa districts.
Transport from Kampala to Mbale via Tirinyi initially cost sh10,000.
However, it has now shot up to sh20,000.
Transport from the Namutumba side of the river to Iguana costs sh5,000, up from sh2,500.
Abed Dembe, a taxi driver, told The New Vision on Thursday that the increment arose from the exorbitant amount demanded by the managers of the temporary taxi parks.
“We also have to cater for bribes of sh20,000 or more for security people manning the road barricades at strategic locations before getting to the bridge. There is no way one can get to the bridge without paying his way through,†Dembe lamented.
THE re-construction of a collapsed culvert at River Mpologoma on the Tirinyi highway has delayed, causing hikes in transport fares between Kampala and Mbale.
The Ministry of Works temporarily closed the route three weeks ago and promised to complete the re-construction within four days.
Vehicles have been restricted from using the Tirinyi route with a Police notice to that effect placed at the Nakalama trading centre junction.
Ramesh Patel, the site foreman for Spencon, said work began shortly before Christmas Day but they had to send workers for the festive season break.
“The main work involved is not all that much. We could do it within four days. It just involves laying the metallic culverts on a cement basement before levelling the road,†Patel said.
Two temporary taxi parks have since been set up on the tarmac by the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers’ Association on either side of the river that separates Namutumba and Pallisa districts.
Transport from Kampala to Mbale via Tirinyi initially cost sh10,000.
However, it has now shot up to sh20,000.
Transport from the Namutumba side of the river to Iguana costs sh5,000, up from sh2,500.
Abed Dembe, a taxi driver, told The New Vision on Thursday that the increment arose from the exorbitant amount demanded by the managers of the temporary taxi parks.
“We also have to cater for bribes of sh20,000 or more for security people manning the road barricades at strategic locations before getting to the bridge. There is no way one can get to the bridge without paying his way through,†Dembe lamented.