The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has today, 21st June, 2023 deployed a team to restore the destroyed protective rails at Karuma Bridge following an accident that occurred on Tuesday, 20th, 2023.
According to Allan Ssempebwa, the UNRA Media Relations Manager, the Masindi UNRA branch has been deployed to ensure emergency restoration of works kicks off on a section that was destroyed yesterday by a Sino truck that plunged into River Nile.
The District Police Commander for Kiryandongo, Edson Muhangi, on speaking about that accident, revealed that a driver only identified as Tumusiime, who was driving a truck registration number UAT 113T, is suspected to have gotten a mechanical condition, making him lose control.
UNRA confirmed that efforts to search for and retrieve missing persons at the falls are on, alongside Uganda Police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) that are handling traffic flow at Karuma.
“While search efforts to retrieve missing person(s) at Karuma Falls continue, following an accident earlier yesterday, our team has deployed warning or safety signs at either side of the bridge to guide traffic, the UNRA statement indicated.
Ssempebwa added that warning and safety signs were deployed on the sides of Karuma Bridge to guide motorists while crossing.
He also stated that the same damaged rails were rebuilt last week following a small accident, adding that they (UNRA) are currently awaiting the government’s decision to build a new and larger bridge at Karuma.