Following nearly three months of partial reopening, the Karuma Bridge will be closed again starting March 10, 2025, to facilitate the installation of expansion joints.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala.
While appearing before the Parliament’s Budget Committee where he had been summoned to provide updates on the status of the transition following the rationalization of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Uganda Road Fund (URF).
The closure is set to last until March 31, and the ministry urges the public to seek alternative routes during this time to enable the completion of necessary repairs.
The bridge was on September 23, 2024 closed for urgent repairs that cost government Shs11 billion.
Wamala informed legislators that the Ministry is currently investigating the condition of the bridge to determine whether a full closure will be necessary to ensure the repair works are completed.
“Our technical team is conducting examinations to determine whether the expansion joints can be fixed while vehicles continue crossing, or if a full closure for a few days will be required. Once a decision is made, we will communicate accordingly,” said Gen. Katumba.
The bridge, a critical connection for northern Uganda, was reopened to light vehicles on December 20, 2024.
Wamala emphasized that the remaining works, including the installation of imported expansion joints, must be completed to allow the passage of heavy trucks.
“We reopened the bridge for light vehicles, but heavy trucks have not yet been allowed to use it. The materials required for the repairs, specifically the expansion joints, have now been imported, and these will enable the bridge to accommodate all types of vehicles once installed,” he explained.
Motorists traveling from Kampala to Gulu and West Nile via Bombo Road can take the route through Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo.
For those heading to Lira, the recommended route is through Iganga–Nakalama–Tirinyi–Pallisa–Kumi–Soroti, and vice versa, while others heading to Lira can also opt for the Rwenkunye–Apac route via Masindi Port Ferry.
