What Karuma Bridge closure means

Highlights

• The Bridge will be closed for three months
• The Bridge had been partially closed to trucks
• Government plans construction of a new Bridge after this rehabilitation

By Admin

The government of Uganda has today permanently closed Karuma Bridge to all vehicles plying the route for three months, hence diverting routes.

While announcing the closure this morning, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, said the closure will be from Monday, September 23, 2024.

He said the close will pave way for the contractor to start the demolition of the concrete deck to allow major works for its restoration.

“From Monday, we are closing the Bridge permanently to allow works to start. This is to make it safer for people to travel. The sides of the bridge will be reinforced.”

The rehabilitation will also see reinforcement of the basement, improve on approaches and light for drivers to have visibility. “Do not bring in politics to this matter. It is a safety issue. We cannot open the bridge for people to die because they want to make money,” he said.

Due to the sorry state of the Bridge, several vehicles have in the past plunged into the River. Earlier, government partially closed the Bridge only allowing cars to pass through the Bridge. But now this closure means, all vehicles will not be allowed to cross on the bridge.

According to the route chart released by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), those traveling to West Nile, Gulu and Acholi will use the alternative routes.

What it means in business

The roadside businessmen who roast maize, muchomo (roasted goats’ meat), chicken will now be out of business to travelers for three months. Most of the business is done by women and youths who look for survival in order to fend for their families. Some of them are servicing loans and this renders them into a bleak future as they gaze into the skies in awe.

However, this opens a huge opportunity for business to roadside traders at Kafu as most buses and cars would make stop-over there.

And the bus owners especially traveling to Gulu City would have to spend more money on fuel. And so, there is likelihood for increment in transport fares for both buses and taxis.

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—Lira and vice versa.