Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has blocked buses, trucks and other heavy duty vehicles from using Karuma Bridge after discovering that it has developed cracks.
In a statement on Friday May 3rd 2024 UNRA said, only passenger vehicles carrying up to 28 passengers will be permitted to use the bridge as they source a contractor to repair the damaged section.
All lorries and trucks to Gulu, Lira , Kitgum , West Nile are advised to use the route through the Murchison Falls national Park to Pakwach or Rwenkunye to cross over Masindi Port with the Ferry.
UNRA said following assessment, some elements of the bridge structure have deteriorated, particularly on the Kampala approach lane.
“The continued exposure of the bridge to the ever-increasing heavy traffic is likely to accelerate its deterioration and serviceability, if not addressed in time,” the roads authority said.
UNRA said repairing the damaged section will take about three months.
The Karuma Falls Bridge was constructed in 1963 to help the cotton farmers in northern Uganda to cross the river.
It is a narrow, single carriageway bridge without pedestrian or bicycle lanes and no monitoring equipment, leaving it prone to major accidents.
In early February, commuters were surprised to drive into a caution signage indicating the closure of the bridge for “one to two hours intervals” as engineers assessed what later turned out to be structural damage.
