Uganda, May 8 -- The diversion of traffic between Lira and Kampala through Soroti-Kumi-Pallisa-Tirinyi-Nakalama-Iganga has increased distance by 75.7 kilometres compared to 338-kilometre drive between Ugandan Kampala and Lango principal trade centre through Karuma.

Our computations with the help of Google maps show a bus setting off from Lira to and from Kampala using the eastern route would need extra fuel of 30.28 litres.

If a pump station is selling a litre of fuel at Shs5,100 - as it was the case in some places on May 7 - Shs154,428 would be required per trip to cater for the additional fuel costs.

The country's road agency, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), diverted heavy-duty traffic after the closure of the defective Karum...