Drama unfolded at Karuma Bridge today as a group of Christians, including elderly women, men, and energetic youth, gathered to pray for improved services from the Ugandan government.
Security personnel allowed the prayer group, comprising members of the Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, to assemble at the bridge for a short period. They voiced their concerns, focusing their prayers on preventing road accidents.
Apostle Benson Erem, leading the prayers, expressed the group’s intention to counteract negative influences and promote safety. Holding the Ugandan flag, he declared their faith in the construction of a better bridge in the area, calling upon God for mercy and sustainable development.
Addressing the media, Erem emphasized the importance of Ugandan leaders prioritizing the welfare of their people and fostering national development. He emphasized Uganda’s potential for revival and his commitment to spreading this vision beyond national borders.
Karuma Bridge, a vital link connecting northern Uganda with the rest of the country, is scheduled for closure to lorries, trailers, and buses starting Monday, May 6, 2024. This temporary closure aims to facilitate repairs of cracks, a process expected to last three months.
According to a statement from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), only passenger vehicles carrying up to 28 passengers will be permitted to use the bridge during this period. UNRA highlighted the deteriorating condition of the bridge, particularly on the Kampala approach lane, due to heavy traffic.
Motorists traveling between Kampala, Gulu, and West Nile are advised to use alternative routes during the bridge’s closure. Similarly, travelers heading to Lira City are encouraged to utilize alternative roads as specified by UNRA.
UNRA further announced that the government is actively seeking funding for the construction of a new bridge at Karuma as a long-term solution to address the bridge’s structural issues and accommodate increasing traffic demands.
