Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has announced how Karuma Bridge will be closed to all traffic starting Monday, September 23, 2024, for three months to give it a well-deserved facelift.
The bridge’s concrete deck is set to be completely demolished and rebuilt to ensure it stands the test of time. According to Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has been working tirelessly to address the bridge’s wear and tear, including porosity and the corrosion of its steel reinforcements.
For those who don’t know, Karuma Bridge is the lifeline connecting Northern Uganda, South Sudan, and West Nile to Kampala and beyond. So, when structural issues popped up, it became clear that something major had to be done, and fast!
Now, before you start panicking about your trip up north, don’t worry—there are alternatives. Gen. Katumba has laid out some routes to make your life a bit easier.
Sure, it might add a few kilometers to your journey, but hey, it’s all for the greater good. Plus, you might get to see parts of Uganda you’ve never explored!
Karuma Bridge has been under the hammer since May this year, with the government pulling out all the stops to make sure it gets back to top form. And that’s not all—they’re already planning to build a brand-new bridge at Karuma. It’s all part of a broader effort to boost regional connectivity, with more projects lined up for Pakwach, Masindi Port, and Laropi.
