MINISTRY OF WORKS ANNOUNCES FULL CLOSURE OF KARUMA BRIDGE
By Mike Rwothomio
Zombo
The ministry of works and transport has announced the full closure of Karuma Bridge effective September 17, 2024. This is to pave way for work on the bridge, which is to last for three months.
Uganda National Roads Roads Authority (UNRA) announced the move on their X, formerly Twitter saying all traffic shall be diverted. "The Minister of Works and Transport @GenWamala has announced the closure of Karuma Bridge to all traffic starting Monday September 23rd, 2024" the UNRA statement reads in part.
The statement added that “The contractor will immediately start the demolition of the concrete deck to allow major works for its restoration, an exercise expected to last 03 months."
Karuma bridge was temporarily closed to heavy vehicles in April this year, after structural defects was discovered following an assessment.
National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and China Seventh Railway Group has been contracted by the ministry to undertake repairs.
Earlier, the state minister of Works and transport Musa Ecweru had hinted about full closure of Karuma Bridge to pave way for extensive repair works.
Alternative Routes
Motorists from Kampala heading to Gulu/West Nile are advised to use Luwero—Kafu—Masindi—Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo and vice versa from motorists from Gulu/West Nile.
Motorists to Lira can use the Rwenkunye—Apac route via Masindi Port Ferry
Motorists to Lira can also use Iganga—Nakalama —Tirinyi—Pallisa—Kumi—Soroti—
While for the first session of the regional Parliamentary sitting in Gulu city recently, MPs majorly from northern region raised concerns about delayed works on the bridge.
However state minister Ecweru informed parliament that work is already ongoing beneath the bridge.
The ongoing work on the bridge among others include restoring the bridge's strength and longevity by re-fitting and strengthening the steel structures to prevent corrosion.
Works ministry say shs 7.9 billion is needed for the repair works. Karuma Bridge was constructed in 1963.
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