The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has backtracked on its earlier date of June 2024, within which repair works at Karuma Bridge were meant to be completed, and now issued the October 14, 2024 deadline, after the Authority finally identified the contractor to undertake works.
The revelation was made by Tony Awany, Vice Chairperson, Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee, during the Inaugural Regional Parliamentary Sitting in Gulu, where he was presenting the report on the State of Transport Infrastructure in Northern Uganda.
“The Committee was informed that emergency works were supposed to be completed by June 2024, after which the bridge would be accessible to traffic. However, works were delayed and are expected to commence on 19th August 2024 now that the contractor has been identified to undertake the repair works and the contract has been signed,” said Awany.
It should be recalled that in April 2024, the Ministry of Works announced an immediate closure of the bridge for three months to enable repair works, and although the government had pledged to complete the works in June 2024, it wasn’t until July 15, 2024, that the contract for the works was signed. According to the latest changes, the work was meant to start on August 19, 2024, and be completed on October 14, 2024.
“During the remedial works, the bridge will be closed to all traffic for a period of 3-4 months to enable the demolition of the bridge deck, replacement of the bearings, restoration joints, and restoration of the deck. These remedial works are expected to extend the service life of the bridge by 2–5 years, during which time normal traffic will be possible,” explained Awany.
Parliament has asked UNRA to ensure that the works are completed by 19th December 2024, and there were also appeals to the Uganda Wildlife Authority to waive the fees imposed on the vehicles that pass through Murchison Falls National Park, and the government further revealed that the anticipated works will add a 2-5 year life span to the Karuma Bridge.
Awanya noted, “UNRA should ensure strict adherence to the work programme for the remedial works on Karuma Bridge so that normal traffic is restored within 3-4 months, in case not later than 19th December 2024. UNRA should ensure that funding is available for pro-active assessment of major bridge structures across the country in order to determine their structural integrity and soundness, as this would prevent a likely sudden failure and closures that are inconveniencing road users.’
He added, “Uganda Wildlife Authority should consider providing a waiver for transport through the National Park during the period of emergency restoration works being undertaken on Karuma Bridge.”
