By Johnson Kanyesige
The Minister of Works and Transport, Edward Katumba Wamala, has announced the closure of Karuma Bridge to all traffic.
The bridge, a major gateway to northern Uganda and West Nile and the neighboring countries in those regions, was partially closed to buses and trailers in May.
However, effective Monday, September 23, General Katumba said there will be no traffic of any kind allowed over the bridge to enable major refurbishment works.
“The contractor will immediately start the demolition of the concrete deck to allow major works for its restoration,” the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) said.
UNRA spokesperson Allan Ssempebwa said the exercise is expected to last three months,
Mr Ssempebwa said motorists will be diverted through three routes with those from Kampala heading to Gulu/West Nile using the Luweero—Kafu—Masindi—Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo and the vice versa.
Motorists heading to Lira have been urged to use the Rwenkunye—Apac route via Masindi Port Ferry, while those travelling to Lira can also use Iganga—Nakalama —Tirinyi—Pallisa—Kumi—Soroti—Lira road.
On May 6, the government re-redirected traffic flow at the Karuma Bridge crossing after engineers identified defects on the 61-year-old major infrastructure that they said needed urgent intervention.
