The Minister of Works and Transport General Edward Katumba Wamala has announced the total closure of the Karuma Bridge to all traffic, starting Monday September 23rd, 2024, for a period of 3 months, to allow completion of the ongoing rehabilitation works.
The move is intended to enable the repair of a crack, which emerged on the bridge, early this year in April.
Karuma Bridge was temporarily closed to heavy vehicles in April this year, after an assessment established defects on its structures.
The government has since contracted National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and China Seventh Railway Group to repair the defects on the bridge.
Karuma is the main bridge connecting the entire part of Uganda to the north, north eastern and beyond and also connects the country to South Sudan, DR Congo as well as Kenya.
The total closure of Karuma Bridge means motorists will be taking a longer route through the Murchison Falls National Parkbranching off at Masindi.
The Karuma Falls Bridge constructed 61 years ago was constructed to facilitate transportation of cotton and tobacco across the river from the Northern and West Nile regions.
Constructed in 1963, as a single carriageway bridge without pedestrian or bicycle lanes the bridge has become a major crossing area for huge traffic that crosses to connect to the rest of the northern, northeastern, West Nile, South Sudan and DR. Congo carrying heavy goods and equipment, leaves the bridge prone to major accidents.
The Ugandan Government awarded the tender to rehabilitate the 200m long bridge to the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and China Seventh Railway Group to a tune of shs7.9billion to undertake the works within three months.
End
By Olivia Nabaggala
17th Sept 2024
End
