Engineers overseeing the reconstruction of the Karuma Bridge in Northern Uganda have confirmed that 36% of the work is complete, offering renewed optimism for travelers in the region.
I had the honour to accompany Nwoya County MP(Vice Chair physical infrastructure committee of parliament) Hon Tonny Awany & Hon Musa Icweru,The State Minister of Works & Transport for the karuma bridge supervision ..
Eng Olanya Olenge Tonny+++ARUU PINY DONG ORUU pic.twitter.com/j8ZSugFc9a
— Eng.Olanya Olenge Tonny (@OlengeTonny) October 28, 2024
The bridge, which was closed in August 2024 for extensive repairs, is expected to be fully operational by December 20, a deadline that government officials and affected communities are eagerly anticipating.
During an inspection at the weekend, State Minister for Works and Transport Musa Ecweru expressed satisfaction with the progress but stressed the importance of maintaining the schedule.
“The team is facing a significant task as we approach November,” Ecweru said.
“They need to push forward to ensure that this critical infrastructure is operational by the Christmas season. I want by December 20th, myself and Minister for Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala should be here opening the place, allowing the people of Northern Uganda to move peacefully to celebrate Christmas Day.”
Ecweru’s remarks highlight the urgency felt by thousands of travelers who have been forced to use alternative routes through Pakwach, Masindi, and Wanseko-Buliisa, significantly lengthening their journeys.
The bridge’s closure has posed major travel disruptions, particularly for larger vehicles, which have had to pass through Pakwach and Murchison Falls National Park, while smaller vehicles have been redirected via Masindi.
Despite these detours, Ecweru acknowledged the inconvenience caused by longer travel times.
“By December 20, we expect to relieve the burden on the Northern Uganda and West Nile communities,” he said.
The reopening of the Karuma Bridge is expected to restore normal travel routes, significantly easing movement across the region.
Lawrence Pario, Head of Bridges and Structures at the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), praised the engineering teams’ dedication.
“Our team has shown exceptional commitment. The current work is focused primarily on constructing the bridge’s foundation, and we are on track to meet the targeted milestones,” Pario explained.
The reconstruction is being handled by China Railway Seventh Group in collaboration with the National Enterprise Corporation, with efforts focused on maintaining both speed and quality.
In addition to the Karuma project, Minister Ecweru highlighted ongoing efforts to preserve other key infrastructure.
He revealed that an amphibious excavator is being used to remove invasive vegetation from Pakwach Bridge, a crucial measure to ensure safe passage for travelers.
“We’ve deployed specialized equipment to eliminate this threat and secure safe passage,” Ecweru noted.
The government is also exploring opportunities to secure investors for a modern, multipurpose bridge at Karuma, which would improve trade and transportation efficiency in Northern Uganda.
As work progresses steadily, the December 20 deadline remains a symbol of hope for many, representing a return to normal travel and increased connectivity across the region.