The Minister of State for Works and Transport Musa Francis Ecweru during an on-site progress assessment tour at Karuma Bridge, announced that the bridge will resume its normal operations on December 20, 2024.
He also noted that for those travelling upcountry for the festive season, the bridge will first be open to light vehicles only, but in the long run, all vehicles will be freely allowed.
“From our assessment with the engineers, at least 85% of the bridge is nearing completion. And everything is falling in the project schedule and the bridge will initially be open to light vehicles only until December 20, 2024, when all vehicles will have access” Ecweru said
The Ministry of Works and Transport closed the Karuma Bridge over the River Nile on the Kampala – Gulu Highway from access by all motorists on Monday, 23 September 2024 to pave the way for rehabilitation of the bridge, with works estimated to take three months.
As a result, all road users have been blocked from accessing the bridge, with all motorists diverted via other alternative roads.
The reconstruction works at the bridge included concrete panning, installation of new support bars, and ensuring bridge stability at a budget cost of UGX 11 billion
Also, the deputy resident engineer Charles Bongomin, assured the bridge users of safety given the modernised rehabilitation works that addressed concerns of the old bridge, which was demolished due to its inability to support heavy loads.
The completion of the Karuma Bridge will play a huge role in easing the transportation of goods and services to the people of North Western Uganda and the neighbouring countries.
