Ferry services suspended on Lake Bisina over rising water levels
Oct 23, 2020
UNRA said they suspended operations because the water levels had risen and covered the docking areas of the ferry.
FLOODS|WATER|TRANSPORT
KATAKWI - The rising Lake Bisina water levels have affected ferry services between Kumi and Katakwi districts.
As a result, hundreds of travelers have resorted to using small canoes at a fee of sh3,000. The distance from Kumi district to Katakwi at Kokorio landing site is 8km.
Ahamd Okwir, the Soroti station manager of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), said they suspended operations because the water levels had risen and covered the docking areas of the ferry.
"The volume of water is what is going to guide us on the day of opening," Okwir said on Tuesday. He said since the ferry was brought to the lake about five years ago, such an incident had never occurred.
"This is the first time for us to suspend ferry services," Okwir said. The ferry has been carrying 1,000 people, 150 motorcycles, and 80 vehicles - eight routes daily.
However, when COVID-19 broke out in March, the number of passengers was reduced to 700 because of social distancing rules.
UNRA suspended the operations on Saturday but their engineers continue visiting the lake to monitor the water levels.
"Once they recede, we shall resume but for now, the people who may not be comfortable using the small boats may resort to road transport," Okwir said.
Before the ferry was introduced on Lake Bisina, many people had died because of using small boats as they used to be blown away by storms.
"We are back to our old days of moving on canoes. This is going to affect my business of selling cassava in Kumi," Veronica Mukule, a trader, said.
Michael Agwere, a bodaboda rider, said the business was low since the number of travelers had reduced drastically.
Ben Akora, the ferry mechanic, said it was risky for the ferry to operate, especially on the Katakwi side. Akora asked for patience as the situation normalises.