Uganda’s State Minister for Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, has confirmed that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) will continue imposing fees on vehicles passing through Murchison Falls National Park, despite growing opposition from some members of parliament.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, Mugarra emphasized that the road through the park was originally built for administrative and tourism purposes. “The tarmacking of this road does not alter its status as a tourism road,” he stated, explaining that the park’s infrastructure is designed to support conservation and tourism, not general public transit.
This decision has faced criticism from lawmakers representing northern Uganda constituencies, including Kilak County MP Gilbert Olanya, who questioned why motorists using this route are charged, while those passing through Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth national parks are not.
Mugarra, however, defended the fee policy, stressing that the Kichumbanyobo-Paraa-Tangi-Pakwach bridge road was designated strictly as a tourism road. He further noted that travellers to the West Nile region and northern Uganda have access to alternative routes that bypass the park, such as the Karuma Bridge, where no fees are applied.
The situation has become more complicated since the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) temporarily closed the Karuma Bridge for repairs, directing motorists to use other routes. Mugarra highlighted that an additional toll-free route is available via the Bugungu gate, although it adds about 30 km to the journey when traveling from Kampala.
The vehicle access fees for using the park range from UGX 20,000 to UGX 50,000 depending on the size of the vehicle. Minister Mugarra reiterated UWA’s commitment to prioritizing conservation efforts, asserting that the park’s purpose as a wildlife sanctuary and tourism site cannot be compromised.
