Rising Nile Water Levels, Floods Paralyse Major Ferry Operations in Northern Uganda

By Kei Emmanuel Duku:
 
Northwestern Uganda:

In the last four years, the districts of Moyo, Obongi and Adjumani in Northwestern Uganda (West Nile) have experienced extreme weather-related events, mainly floods triggered by persistent torrential rainfall. As a result, water levels in the Albert Nile and River Nile have steadily risen, causing river banks to burst. This has caused massive flooding, which have severely affected several households, ecosystems, farming, the economy, and social life.
The floods have equally hampered the operations of the Laropi ferry in Moyo district and Obongi-Sinyanya ferry in Obongi district making the life of residents, business community and travelers miserable.
Laropi ferry connects Moyo to Adjumani District as well as Laropi and Umi landing sites. It also connects Kajo Keji County in South Sudan to Northern Uganda. While the Obongi ferry, which is currently undergoing repair, used to connect Obongi to Moyo and Adjumani.
Apart from being public transportation systems, the two marine vessels are the primary means by which residents in the three districts can directly transit from one district to another and conduct business or obtain basic necessities from their neighbours.
 
Obongi ferry Suspension
 
Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) suspended Obongi-Sinyanya ferry operations in July 2020 after the increasing water levels from Albert Nile submerged the docking sites and the landing sites. Before the ferry started operations in June 2012, passengers had to cross the river in canoes, which was and still is, risky. The Obongi ferry, on the other hand, relieved travelers and residents by connecting Madi-Okool to Gulu, South Sudan via Adjumani.
 
However, after the suspension, the Laropi ferry had to fill that void. As a result, residents and travelers on the Obongi route must choose between waiting for the Laropi Ferry and crossing the Pakwach Bridge, which takes several hours to reach the West Nile and Acholi Sub Regions.
 
However, in the absence of the Obongi ferry, most residents and travellers have resorted to the old ways of using boats, complaining of Laropi vessel delays. "It's 70 kilometres from Obongi to Moyo Town-Laropi Landing site before reaching Adjumani district and other parts of the country," Gift Chandiga, a fisherman at Sinyanya landing site, said. The landing site, according to Chandiga, was flooded, and the boats, which were another option for crossing the river, are no longer operating as they once did. "Traders, and passengers from Juba, Arua, Koboko no longer pass here, for over five years since Obongi ferry closed business. We are facing difficulties because transportation and fishing are our primary sources of income. I used to get over Ugx40,000 per day, but now I'm lucky to get Ugx20,000," Chandiga explained.
 
Allan Ssempebwa, the UNRA Media Relations Manager, explained that the ferry needed complete overhaul while the sites and docking sites required construction before it resumes operations.
 
However, works to upgrade the ferry’s docking site in Obongi Town council ongoing. The docking site is being raised with hardcore concrete and gravel to prevent future floods from submerging the docking areas and landing sites, according to Ssempebwa.
 
In a letter dated February 2, 2023, addressed to the Obongi District Local Government Chairperson and the leaders from the region, John Bosco Ssejemba, the Director Roads and Infrastructure Protection-UNRA confirms the Obongi Sinyanya ferry will resume normal services on 1, March 2023, seven years after suspension.
 
Lorapi Ferry Operations
 
Laropi, the busiest vessel so far, connects Moyo to Adjumani and obongi districts. It transports an average of 1,500 to 1,800 people per day, with a minimum of 12 trips and a maximum of 22 trips. While vessel’s typical day rolls out at 5:30 A.M. it is meant to rest at 7:30 P.M. But due to the floods effect, and the overwhelming number of travelers, the ferry is bound extend its services beyond 7:30P.M.
 
The floods have not only destroyed the Laropi docking sites, landing sites, food plantations and communities. UNRA offices and other commercial buildings along the Nile belt were submerged and abandoned for over six months.
 
Furthermore, boats, mainly canoes, have difficulty maneuvering across the raging river. However, crossing the river in a canoe is only for the brave.
 
In normal circumstances, the ferry takes between at least 10 to 15 minutes to cross the river, but it currently takes a bit longer to navigate the raging river. "Docking the ferry is difficult because the docking sites are submerged. And t To dock safely, we make sure the docking strips are completely visible, or you may crash the vessel," one of the ferry operators explained.
 
According to him, rising water levels and intense flooding of docking sites began in October 2022, prompting management to seek alternative docking sites. "As a result, the situation is delaying our work and affecting the movement, and exchange of goods and services," he explained.
At one point, according to the leaders, the Speaker of Parliament –Annet Anita Among and the Richard Todwong, the NRM Secretary General were delayed by the Laropi ferry for several on their respective visits to Moyo.
 
Meteorology Department
 
Although the presence of a marine vessel has numerous economic benefits, many services are bound to be disrupted in the event of a disaster such as flooding.
 
The government, through the Uganda National Metrological Authority (UNMA), warned the public late last year to brace for floods and mudslides in various parts of the country.
 
According to William George Omony, a Meteorologist at UNMA, the rainfall forecast for the last three months of late last year was equally distributed throughout the country, resulting in an increase in water levels.
 
Richard Godfrey is a member of the UNMA in charge of recording the Nile's daily water level. Godfrey said the Nile's water levels rose to 50.01metres high between late 2018 and early 2019 up from 20.00 metres high in the previously. This, however, triggered flooding and the destruction of docking sites.
 
In his explanation, there are numerous tributaries from the surrounding hills such as River Gblala, Auma and Challa, that feed the river and causes an increase in water levels.
 
"There was an increase in water levels between August, September, and October of last year (2022), but it was less than that of 2019, which was directly related to the heavy rainfall," he said. 
 
Traders, Travelers’ Plight
 
According to the travelers, it is becoming too risky to travel on the ferry due to the rampaging river. “Still, although there are life jackets provided, some travelers shun wearing them due to poor hygiene which increases the risk,” said a passenger, who uses the ferry daily.
 
She further explained that crossing the river at night is the most frightening since the vessel’s security/sailing lights are multifunctional. 
Before the floods caused the Lorapi ferry delays, Paul Ojja, a trader from Panyanga parish in Dufile sub-county, Moyo district, used to make five trips to Arua and Adjumani every day. According to Ojja, who deals in different merchandise, the ferry can be delayed for two or three hours.
"Because of the time wasted, you must reduce the number of trips." Right now, I only make two trips, which is causing huge losses. My business would be far if the ferry services were fast," he explained.
 
Alice Ochola Mangwi, another affected resident, explained that women and children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, are the most affected by the flood disaster which has disrupted learning, access to health services, water-borne disease outbreaks, starvation among others.
 
Bridge Advocacy Launch
 
Following the extensive misery caused by the catastrophic floods and poor ferry services in the region, the residents and district leaders in Moyo on February 13, 2023, launched an advocacy campaign for a bridge over the River Nile.
 
According to the affected residents, the bridge is one of the unfulfilled promises made by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) over the last 37 years.
 
They are, however, gathering signatures to support a petition to the government and its line ministries to build the bridge, saying it’s long overdue. "Many times during campaigns and other official functions, the government's plan to build the bridge has been mentioned. We want it to be considered as one of the country's top priorities," Alice Ochola Mangwi asked.
 
According to Bernadette Odili Chandia, another resident, the bridge ia not a privilege but something they are entitled to. She said that the delays by the Laropi ferry are unbearable. "It can delay between two and three hours or more yet time wasted can never be recovered. They say time is money. In some instances, someone can travel 335kms from Kampala to Gulu, transact business, and return while you are still waiting for the ferry?" she wondered.
 
She added that the bridge is not just for the Madi sub-region or West Nile region, but for all Ugandans, travelers, and tourists, since it will connect the region to South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and other destinations. "The leaders in the West Nile or Madi sub-region should understand that they hold their positions because of the people, so they should join the cause regardless of political or religious affiliation because development has no limit," Chandia urged.
 
The Member of Parliament for Moyo West County, Tom Alero Aza, joined his constituents in signing the petition, stating that the struggle to remind the government about the bridge began in 2012, but nothing has been done about it. "The struggle was initiated by the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Fredrick Drandua (Arua Diocese) and influential district civil servants. I was in the ninth parliament at the time (2011-2016). However, the government has been dragging its feet on the bridge construction issue,” he said.
 
As the ferry is overwhelmed by the growing local population and the influx of refugees from South Sudan, Aza noted, the district and region would require a bridge to expedite the transaction of goods and essential services.
 
According to Aza, discussions with the government about the bridge have progressed significantly. So far, legislators from the Madi sub-region and the West Nile region have formed a special committee led by George Didi Bhoka (OBongi County) and the Madi parliamentary forum headed by Aza to pursue the matter to a successful outcome. “We have had engagements with Moses Ali, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament concerning the matter,” he revealed.
 
Together with Ali, he added, they held a meeting with the Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, the Financial Controller -Ministry of works and Transport, the Financial Controller –Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MFPED),in addition to different technocrats from UNRA. “The meeting resolved to invite a delegation from the African Development Bank (ADB) for discussions about the bridge by the end of February 2023. Then in June (same year), a delegation will visit Madi sub-region and West Nile region on a fact finding mission” Aza said. “The Speaker of Parliament and the Minister for Works- Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala are on our side because he has been here (region) several times and witnessed our plight”.
 
This Publication Was Made Possible Through Funding From Ultimate Media Consult (UMC) In Partnership With The US Embassy in Uganda. 

COVER PHOTO: Former Uganda National Road Authority offices submerged by floods of 2019 in Umi Landing Site in Adjuamani District Credit: Kei Emmanuel.