BY BOY FIDEL LEON
The Karuma Bridge is set for reconstruction, according to Minister for Works and Transport General Katumba Wamala. The bridge, which spans the River Nile and connects Nwoya District and Kiryandongo District, has been the site of several accidents over the years, with the latest one claiming two lives; the driver and a turnboy after a truck lost control and plunged into River Nile at Karuma bridge.
“Karuma bridge in Nwoya district has outlived its usefulness and is due for reconstruction,” Minister for Works and Transport General Katumba Wamala has told Parliament.
The Minister made the announcement in response to concerns raised by Bardege Layibi Member of Parliament Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, who called for urgent action to prevent further loss of life on the bridge.
The current Karuma Bridge, also known as the old bridge, was constructed in 1963, shortly after Uganda gained independence from Britain. The bridge is a narrow, one-lane carriageway with no pedestrian or bicycle lanes and no monitoring equipment, which makes it dangerous for modern traffic.
The government has already developed a plan for the reconstruction of the Karuma Bridge, but funding for the project is still needed. The reconstruction will involve the demolition of the current bridge and the construction of a new, modern bridge in its place.
“ That bridge is old and is due for replacement.” Said Mrs. Allen Kagina the Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). In an interview of May 11th 2021 when a track carrying fuel plunged into River Nile and has not been found since.
The Karuma Bridge is a vital link between northern and central Uganda, and it is heavily used by trucks and other vehicles transporting goods and people. However, the bridge’s age and design have made it unsafe for modern traffic, leading to concerns about the safety of those who use it.
The recent accident on the bridge, in which a loaded trailer hit the guardrails and fell into the water, killing two people, underscores the urgent need for action to improve the safety of the bridge.
In recent years, there have been growing concerns over the safety of the Karuma Bridge, and calls for its reconstruction have been made. The bridge’s age and design make it unsuitable for modern traffic, and it poses a significant risk to the safety of those who use it.
The reconstruction of the new Karuma Bridge is a necessary investment to improve transportation and connectivity in the region, while also ensuring the safety and well-being of those who use it. The new bridge is expected to meet the needs of modern traffic and be built to the highest safety standards.
