The Ministry of Works and Transport, led by Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has officially declared the closure of Karuma Bridge to all traffic, effective from Monday, September 23, 2024 to allow for extensive restoration work, which is projected to last around three months.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, declared, “I have decided and announced the closure of Karuma Bridge to all traffic starting Monday, September 23, 2024.”
He explained that the closure will enable the contractor to demolish the concrete deck and undertake major restoration works, expected to last three months.
The decision to close the 61-year-old bridge is due to critical structural concerns that require immediate attention after engineers identified significant defects in May, which determined that prolonged exposure to heavy traffic would accelerate its deterioration.
To minimise disruptions, motorists have been advised to use the following alternative routes:
- For travel from Kampala to Gulu/West Nile: Luwero-Kafu-Masindi-Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo
- Lira Route 1: Rwenkunye-Apac via Masindi Port Ferry
- Lira Route 2: Iganga-Nakalama-Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi-Soroti-Lira
The minister also said that while the current restoration works aim to preserve the existing bridge, plans are underway for constructing a new cable bridge, similar to the New River Nile Bridge in Jinja City, to replace the ageing Karuma Bridge.
