The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has clarified that light passenger vehicles are still allowed to access the Karuma Bridge despite the closure of trucks and buses.

This was revealed by Allan Ssempebwa, the UNRA Spokesperson, in a phone interview with this media house on May 4, 2024.

According to Ssempebwa, although the statement reflected a closure to traffic flow, passenger vehicles carrying up to 28 passengers will be allowed to use the bridge.

“Passenger vehicles will still be passing, unless otherwise we have to close off and we will still be alert; the bridge is closed to heavy vehicles and open to light ones; we had to clarify in the statement, so the closure is only to big vehicles,” Ssempebwa said.

Ssempebwa, however, noted that this is to be handled as an emergency so that by August, the work will be done for heavy vehicles to access the road too.

“We should start as soon as we get the contractor, and we hope that in not more than a month we should have got, because we are going to handle this as an emergency and we are allowed to get contractors as soon as possible without any delays,” he added.

Ssempebwa’s remarks follow a statement released by UNRA on May 3, 2024, informing the public of an ongoing condition assessment of Karuma Bridge.

According to the statement, it was established that some elements of the bridge structure (the concrete deck) are damaged, particularly on the Kampala approach lane.

The statement read that 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.

UNRA therefore said that beginning Monday, May 6, 2024, the bridge will be closed to all lorries, trailers, and buses.

UNRA, however, gave the following alternative routes, including but not limited to: motorists from Kampala heading to Gulu/West Nile were advised to use Luwero Kafu-Masindi Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via OlwiyO, and vice versa for motorists from Gulu/West Nile.

UNRA further noted that motorists heading to Lira can also use lganga-Nakalama-Tirinyi-Pallisa-Kumi Soroti-Lira and vice versa.

Karuma Bridge, built in 1963, has been on the plan of the government to construct a new one, replacing the existing one, as the current bridge is narrow, with only one lane in each direction, and lacks pedestrian and bicycle lanes as well as monitoring equipment.

With the planned emergency works, it’s not clear when such works on the intended new bridge will commence.