Karuma Bridge could be closed again - Gen Katumba

A general view of the Karuma Bridge on December 20, 2024 after it was reopened for public use. PHOTO/BILL OKETCH
What you need to know:
- Gen Katumba explained that the initial repairs allowed light vehicles to cross, but additional work is needed to enable heavy trucks to use the bridge
Uganda's Karuma Bridge may face another shutdown for additional repairs, according to Minister of Works and Transport Gen Katumba Wamala.
The bridge, which connects Kampala to northern Uganda, was previously closed for rehabilitation works that cost Shs11 billion, but was partially reopened towards 2024 Christmas.
Gen Katumba revealed the plans while appearing before the House Committee on the Budget, stating that the technical team is still conducting examinations to determine the best course of action.
"The technical team are still doing the technical examinations, to see whether they can fix those expansion joints as vehicles continue crossing or whether it will require some days of closing for those joints to be fixed," he said on February 5.
The minister assured lawmakers that any closure would only happen after parents have taken their children back to school.
"I told my people that even if there will be a need for closing, don’t close this period when people are taking kids back to school, then after that we shall see if the closing is necessary, then we shall communicate," he added.
The Karuma Bridge was initially closed on September 23, 2024 for rehabilitation works, which included demolishing the concrete deck and undertaking major restoration works. It was partially reopened on December 20 to allow light vehicles and buses to cross, but heavy trucks are still barred from using the bridge.
Gen Katumba explained that the initial repairs allowed light vehicles to cross, but additional work is needed to enable heavy trucks to use the bridge.
"We had some materials which we had to import and which has been imported and is in the country, which are called expansion joints and those are the ones we are going to fix to enable the heavy trucks to also cross," he said.