Ministry of works announces  full closure of Karuma bridge

The ministry of works and transport has announced the full  closure of  Karuma bridge effective Sept. 23rd , 2024.

This is to pave way for work on the bridge, that is to last for three months.

Uganda National Roads Roads Authority ( UNRA)  announced the move on  their  X, formerly Twitter, on Sept. 17, 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″ 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 of Works and transport Musa Ecweru had hint 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
3.Motorists to Lira can also use Iganga—Nakalama —Tirinyi—Pallisa—Kumi—Soroti—Lira and vi

Whilst for the first session of the regional Parliamentary sitting in Gulu city recently, MPs majorly from northern raised concerns about delayed work on the bridge.

However state minister Ecweru informed parliament work is already ongoing beneath the bridge.

Works ministry say shs  7.9 billion is needed for the repair works.

The ongoing work on the bridge amongst others   include restoring the bridge’s strength and longevity by re-fitting and strengthening the steel structures  to prevent corrosion.

Karuma bridge was constructed in 1963.