Karuma, (UG):- After undergoing months of critical repairs, the Government on Friday reopened the Karuma Bridge to the public putting an end to inconveniences suffered by travellers plying the Kampala-Gulu highway.
Karuma, a key infrastructure linking Kampala to northern Uganda and neighbouring South Sudan and DR Congo was closed to public traffic on September 23, to allow its rehabilitation following the discovery of significant structural defects.
The repair works, according to the Ministry of Works and Transport cost government a tune of Shs11 billion over the three-month period.
“Today is a very special day for the people of Uganda- especially for the people of northern Uganda, West Nile and Kiryandongo District in particular. These people can now access their homes, and they will be able to join their loved ones to celebrate both Christmas and the New Year very easily,” said Works and Transport State Minister Musa Ecweru at the official reopening on Friday, December 20, 2024.
“We have many problems in Uganda that have been caused by hydrological problems associated with climate change. Karuma presented a unique challenge just like the Katonga Bridge presented to western Uganda,” he added, explaining the urgency in fixing the bridge within three months.
The minister added that the government is in the advanced stages of establishing a suspended bridge at Karuma, similar to the New Nile Bridge in Jinja, which will advance the modernity at the busy Kampala-Gulu highway.
Constructed in 1963, the bridge had aged considerably, necessitating comprehensive repairs to restore its safety and functionality.
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