The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has dismissed false claims by National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, regarding the condition of the Gulu-Kampala route and the Karuma Bridge.
UNRA’s spokesperson, Allan Ssempebwa, said the temporary closure of Karuma Bridge is part of ongoing construction activities aimed at ensuring traveler safety until a new bridge is completed.
He emphasized that the closure is by no means static as defined by Bobi Wine, adding that the NUP leader used the word “continued” terribly out of context when it’s common knowledge by all that the site is busy and full of activity to restore normalcy.
UNRA described Bobi Wine’s claims, labeling them “fat lies” and clarifying the status of the Karuma Bridge and alternative routes.
In a social media statement issued on November 13, 2024, Bobi Wine announced a postponement of his planned visit to Gulu, citing “the continued closure of Karuma Bridge and the bad state of the alternative routes” as his reasons.
UNRA further criticized Bobi Wine’s description of the alternative routes as being in a “bad state,” providing photographic evidence of fine tarmac on the route.
Other routine roader users agreed with NIRA’s position and confirmed that indeed Bobi Wine was telling lies.
According to UNRA, the road that goes through Murchison Falls to Gulu is in its finest state and the one that goes through the Eastern region (Kampala-Jinja, Iganga-Palilia, Mbale-Kumi-Soroti-Lira to Gulu)
The incident underscores Bobi Wine and NUP’s continued use of lies to gain political mileage.
In October 2024, NUP released a photo of a Kenyan, Eric Omondi, claiming he was a NUP supporter from Mukono, who is among the party’s alleged missing supporters.
The party has also, on several occasions, paraded to the media accident victims, claiming that they are torture victims.
