Traffic paralysed in Jinja as trucks plunge in deep potholes

Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Business came to a standstill in sections of Jinja city’s industrial area after five trucks got stuck at different points along Factory Street, in Masese ward, in the southern division.

This follows heavy rains, which filled up giant existing potholes, that drivers accidently drove into. The trucks, which reportedly got stuck early Thursday, were carrying processed goods from the factory premises to their markets in Jinja city and beyond.

Masese is home to over 100 large-scale and cottage industries, with Factory Road as their major gateway to the markets.

An employee of MMI still Mills who spoke to URN on condition of anonymity says that one of the trucks got stuck 10 meters away from a main gate, making it impossible for both suppliers and distributors to access the premises.

Another transport officer says that they received raw materials via Ripon Falls pier and their trucks were meant to collect them in eight hours, but due to the blockages, they have resolved to offload the same on one-tonnage capacity boats, which are ferrying the same to the factory premises to enable production.

Sarah Nyakecho, a cotton supplier in one of the factories explained that the industrial area borders Lake Victoria on one side and slums on the left side, making it inaccessible during heavy rains and road blockages like these.

Nyakecho says that government should prioritize working on Factory Road, as it doubles as both a big employment hub for several youths in Jinja city and a revenue earner for the economy.

Nasser Ashiraf, the southern division mayor says that they have lobbied all government offices ranging from the Ministry of Works, Uganda National Roads Authority-UNRA, and parliament, including President Museveni himself to work on the road in vain.

Nasser noted that the business community struggles to transport goods and services due to the big ditches in the road, but nothing has been done to address their plight.

By 3:00 PM, police had not deployed their traffic personnel on sight, forcing factory owners to deploy their security guards to supervise both traffic flow and the evacuation processes.

Meanwhile, the Kiira regional police spokesperson, James Mubi said their traffic department had not received any report about the same.

Mubi however, advised truckers to use an alternative route along the Jinja-Iganga highway, as a means of accessing parts in the industrial area, which have not been plunged by the trucks.

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URN