Local Leaders Reject Splatered Ferry For Arua and Amuru on River Nile

By Robert Ariaka

Arua April 27, 2016

Local leaders of Rhino Camp Sub County in Arua district have rejected a ferry donated to them by Allan Kagina, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Executive Director.

The Ferry was part of President Yoweri Museveni’s pledge for the people of Madi Okollo County in Arua district.

Kagina, who earlier visited Rhino Camp landing site promised to fulfill the Presidential pledge after elections.

“The Ferry will help to link the two districts of Arua and Amuru via River Nile.

When the February elections ended, Kagina acted by directing officials of UNRA to reassemble the old Ferry formerly at Laropi landing site in Adjumani district for the people of Rhino Camp.

However, on learning of Kagina’s second hand ferry being assembled at UNRA head office in Arua, the locals, through their leaders, rejected the offer.

Droma Atilio, the councilor representing the people of Rhinocamp to Arua district council says the ferry which is currently been assembled at Arua UNRA offices is an old one which was formerly in Laropi and not meant for the people of Rhinocamp.

He says, a presidential pledge can’t be an old machine arguing it’s a junk ferry which will not last.

According to Atilio, the new ferry which was meant for the people of Rhino camp was diverted to Adjumani and the old ferry of Adjumani was brought to fulfill the Presidential pledge.

Abiko Jane Rose, the female councilor for Rhincampa and Rigbo says they will not allow the people accept the ferry but rather allow them use their motorized boats.

Currently the ferry which is at Arua UNRA parking yard is been painted with a black color.

“I can’t allow my people to drown in River Nile because of this old Ferry. If the government is not in position to give us a new Ferry, let the offer be,” Droma argued.

Droma accused some government officials of covering up people’s demand for a new Ferry for fear of losing their jobs.

Earlier on, Kagina promised to have the Ferry operational by May this year.

The RDC Arua Peter Dibele, recently appealed to the people of Rhinocamp to accept the ferry.

When contacted on phone, the Busoza Abakari, the acting station manager UNRA Arua says he is not in position to speak about the ferry on conditions that he has been transferred to Gulu.

The ferry which is been painted is currently scattered at Arua UNRA office.

End.