The Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) has engaged a consultant to carry out a diagnostic study of the Karuma bridge along the Gulu-Kampala Highway, which aims at establishing its current condition and remaining life span.
According to the Manager Public and Corporate Affairs at UNRA, Allan Ssempebwa, on February 8, 2024, the findings will guide potential interventions to reinforce the bridge’s longevity as plans for a new bridge are under way.
“To gather the necessary data, the consultant will conduct detailed inspections and measurements,” Ssempebwa stated.
He noted that, while this study is ongoing, UNRA will close part of the bridge for short periods in between to ensure the collection of reliable information and carry out the assessments safely.
Ssempebwa stated that this follows adequate consultations with the relevant stakeholders.
“In order for UNRA to be able to undertake this critical assignment on the National Road Network, we will be notifying the general public of every change in the traffic flow at Karuma Bridge,” he added.
Karuma Bridge lies along the major highway connecting the northern and southern halves of the country, as well as being the transit route between the coastal ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam and the landlocked South Sudan.
Travel across Karuma Bridge in Kiryandongo District on the Kampala-Gulu Highway is expected to be disrupted beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend.