Travellers heading to West Nile and Northern Uganda will be exempt from entry fees to Murchison Falls National Park while repairs on the Karuma Bridge are underway.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) announced on Thursday that vehicles transiting through the Tangi-Bugungu gates via Bulisa Town Council will not be charged fees for three months, up to December 31, 2024.
However, UWA has reserved the Kichumbanyobo gate for tourists visiting the park, who will still be required to pay entry fees.
The authority also advised motorists to use the Masindi Port ferry and other ferries through Luwero-Nakasongola and Rwekunye, with operating hours between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Visitors must enter the park no later than 6:00 PM to ensure they exit by 7:00 PM.
Motorists are required to observe a 40 km/h speed limit, with violations incurring a fine of 100,000 UGX. Accidental animal kills will attract a fine of $500, and littering or hooting in the park will result in a 100,000 UGX penalty per incident.
Earlier this week, Minister of Works and Transport, General Katumba Wamala, confirmed that all traffic on the Karuma Bridge would be suspended for the three-month repair period.
Traffic has been diverted through alternative routes, including Gulu/West Nile via Luweero—Kafu—Masindi—Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) and Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo.
Motorists have been urging the government to lift fees for travelling through the newly constructed Masindi-Pakwach road, where each vehicle had been charged 20,000 UGX to transit through the park.
