New repair works on Karuma Bridge to take three weeks, see alternative routes

Karuma, (UG):– The Ministry of Works and Transport has announced a three-week closure of Karuma Bridge to facilitate full-scale repair works after the 62-year-old bridge suffered fresh damages following its reopening in December 2024.

The Ministry announced that Karuma, a vital transport link connecting northern Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, was officially closed on Monday, March 24, 2025, prompting travelers to use alternative routes.

“Works underway at Karuma Bridge [Installation of Expansion Joints],” the Ministry announced in a post via the official X platform. “The team is currently fitting the expansion joints into the steel bars of the bridge deck,” it added.

Once this is done, the team will cast concrete around it to secure the components firmly in place. These joints will, according to the Ministry, help the bridge to safely expand and contract with temperature changes and to absorb vibrations from heavy traffic loads, among other functions.

With the bridge temporarily inaccessible, motorists and commuters have been advised to use the following alternative routes:

1. Lira to Kampala: Travelers from Lira heading to Kampala should use the Soroti-Kumi-Pallisa-Tirinyi-Nakalama-Iganga route. This diversion adds approximately 75.7 kilometers to the usual 338-kilometer drive via Karuma.
2. Kampala to Gulu: Motorists can branch off at Kafu and use the Masindi-Paraa-Pakwach route, then connect to Gulu via Anaka. This detour extends the journey by 85 kilometers compared to the usual 335-kilometer route via Karuma.
3. Travellers from Pader, Kitgum, Agago, Abim, and Otuke: These commuters can reach Kampala through Lira, Apac-Masindi Port, or the eastern route.

Despite prior government announcements about an impending closure, some road users were caught off guard due to the lack of timely communication. Julius Ocen, an NTV correspondent in the Lango Sub-region, recounted how he was initially allowed access to the bridge but later found himself stranded.

“I was allowed to cross the bridge to take some footage, but after filing my story from the Karuma Town side, I was informed I could not return to Kamdini because the bridge was now closed,” he said.

A security officer stationed at the bridge mentioned that travelers could use a boat to cross to Kamdini but did not specify where it would be located.

Travel Implications

Motorists have expressed concerns over the added cost of fuel due to longer routes. A Toyota Sienta 2016 model (1.5cc VVTi engine) driver noted that while a trip from Lira to Kampala via Karuma typically costs UGX 100,000 in fuel, the diversion through Paraa now requires an extra UGX 80,000.

For travelers to West Nile, the detour via Paraa reduces the distance by approximately 80 kilometers, potentially offering cost and time savings. However, restrictions along the newly surfaced oil road inside Paraa impose a 40 km/h speed limit, making travel slower than on the Gulu-Karuma highway.

Furthermore, motorists must cross Paraa by 5 PM daily, meaning those arriving late may have to arrange overnight accommodation, adding further costs.

Benard Anyeko Matsanga, spokesperson for the Uganda Northern Drivers and Transport Network Association, stated that the bridge closure was not unexpected.

“The government initially reopened the bridge for the Christmas and New Year period to ease holiday travel and facilitate students returning to school. This second closure was always planned, so we are not surprised,” he explained.

Constructed in 1963, the Karuma Bridge spans the River Nile and serves as a crucial economic and transport link for Uganda and its neighboring countries, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The repair works are part of broader government efforts to ensure the longevity and safety of this critical national asset.

Travelers are advised to plan accordingly and consider the outlined alternative routes until repair works are completed.