No Stopping in the Park! Karuma Bridge Closes, UWA Lays Down the Law

(Kiryandongo) – If you thought a drive through Murchison Falls National Park would be the perfect time to enjoy a roadside picnic with a view of an elephant or two, think again! The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has spoken, and they’ve made it abundantly clear: “No stopping in the park, unless your car catches fire, or you’re running from a lion!” And this isn’t just your everyday roadside traffic announcement—it’s coming in the wake of the planned closure of Karuma Bridge, starting on September 23rd – 2 days from now.

In true Ugandan style, this decision was delivered with a bit of pomp and military flair by none other than the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala. You know it’s serious when the General gets involved! He calmly announced that the bridge, that mighty lifeline connecting Uganda’s north and south, needs some serious TLC. For the next three months, it’s going under the knife (or maybe the spanner), as repairs are carried out to prevent it from collapsing like a poorly built Matooke stall.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is stepping in with a whole list of dos and don’ts for anyone transiting through Murchison Falls National Park while Karuma takes its well deserved break. For starters, if you’re just passing through on your way to wherever it is you need to be, UWA is being kind enough not to charge you entry fees. No toll for driving through, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can break out your Rolex and chair for a quick lunch stop.

Bashir Hangi, UWA’s communications guru, made sure to remind everyone that tourists are still expected to pay the usual entrance fees at Kichumbanyobo gate—because, you know, we all need to keep the park running. And if you’re thinking of sneaking in after hours for a moonlit safari drive, think again. The park gates will open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm only, and they mean it. Get there by 6:00 pm latest, or you’ll be stuck outside like someone who arrived late for a church fundraiser. You won’t be let in, even if you show up with a boda boda full of Matooke and a sad face.

UWA has also taken the liberty of reminding motorists that speeding is not an option. The speed limit within the park is set at a very careful 40 km/h. If you think that’s slow, just remember that overspeeding comes with a fine of UGX 100,000. And if, God forbid, you happen to hit one of the park’s four legged residents—let’s just say it’ll cost you sh1.85 million ($500) per animal. Yes, a roadkill fine. Think of it like paying for a goat at a Kwanjula, except this time the goat is wild, and the penalty is a lot higher.

The rules don’t stop there. Litterbugs beware! You may have gotten away with tossing a banana peel out of your car window elsewhere, but not here. Littering will get the bus operator or driver slapped with a UGX 100,000 fine. So, you might want to think twice before chucking that empty water bottle into the bush like you’re training for javelin.

In case you’re wondering if you can pull over for a selfie with the baboons or just stretch your legs—well, tough luck. Stopping is strictly prohibited unless there’s an actual emergency. And we’re not talking about missing your WhatsApp messages. UWA made this crystal clear: it’s all about protecting you and the animals. So, unless your car is smoking or an elephant has decided to give you a friendly nudge, keep it moving.

All in all, the next three months are shaping up to be an interesting time for anyone passing through the park. Between dodging fines, avoiding roadkill, and keeping your litter in check, your journey through Murchison Falls is sure to be as memorable as the bridge closure itself. Just be sure to follow the rules—because you really don’t want to end up explaining to UWA why you stopped to take a photo of a lion lounging by the road.