Established in 1963, Karuma Bridge was constructed to help farmers in northern Uganda cross the River Nile and transport their cotton to Nyanza textile mills in Jinja district via Kampala for processing. Before the bridge was built, people crossed over to either side using a makeshift bridge made of tree logs that was very slippery as water kept splashing on it.
But since the bridge was installed, it has claimed the lives of several motorists over time, and the area has become a site for several major accidents. The bridge is narrow, with one carriageway and without pedestrian or bicycle lanes, and lacks monitoring equipment.
In 2017, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) launched a bid to reconstruct the old-fashioned bridge, but UNRA and the proposed funders, a Japanese company called JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), did not reach a final conclusion on who would fund the construction.
As of October 2020, according to the New Vision newspaper, the government of Japan through JICA was evaluating the possibility of funding the construction of the New Karuma Bridge. The proposed new bridge is expected to reduce accident levels, as it will include a suspended cable bridge with bicycle/motorcycle lanes. Feasibility studies and technical designs for the bridge have been concluded.
Locals say the old bridge has become a black spot, and something needs to be done to secure the lives of motorists and improve the safety of the bridge.
Past Accidents on Karuma Bridge:
- On April 24, 2021, a speeding fuel tanker truck registration number UAS 337M, coming from Gulu, failed to brake and lost control, ramming into the bridge and plunging into the fast-moving falls.
- On March 1, 2021, a Fuso fighter lorry registration number UAT 574V, loaded with soap from a factory in Lira, survived plunging into the River Nile at Karuma Bridge when it lost control and hit the rails of the bridge, overturning. Fortunately, the driver and turn man were rescued by Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers who were patrolling over the bridge.
- In April 2018, a Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter lorry registration number UAL 891D, loaded with over ten tons of maize grain from Bweyale in Kiryandongo district, plunged into the river near Karuma Bridge.
- In June 2018, a Fuso lorry registration number UAS 994Y, carrying palm tree logs from Lira to Masindi, with two occupants, lost control and plunged into River Nile at Karuma Bridge.
- In 2017, a truck carrying cassava from Paidha town in Nebbi district, heading to Hoima district, plunged into the water, killing three people.
- In February 2017, a cargo truck UAP 513S from the Democratic Republic of Congo plunged into Karuma, but fortunately, the occupant, Nelson Eric, survived the nasty accident.
- In 2007, a Nebbi-bound tipper lorry registration number UAE 037D, carrying 12 people, lost control and plunged into the fall. One person died while 11 people jumped off and sustained severe injuries.
- In 2000, a Gateway bus plunged into the River Nile at the same spot and killed at least 11 people.
Karuma Bridge, which borders Kiryandongo, Oyam, and Nwoya districts, has taken the lives of more than ten people in the couple of years, without a trace of their bodies, according to authorities. Locals say that because of the sharp bend coming to the bridge, many drivers have lost control and plunged into the river.
The estimated cost of the construction of a new bridge was in excess of US $100 million, as reported by NBS in 2017.
Closure of Karuma Bridge for Restoration:
The 61-year-old Karuma Bridge will be closed to heavy-load motor vehicles and trucks for the next three months as the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) restores the deteriorating parts of the bridge. This follows a technical assessment conducted by UNRA engineers, which established that some elements of the bridge structure, such as the concrete deck on the Kampala approach lane, had deteriorated.
In a traffic advisory, UNRA stated that the bridge will be closed to all lorries, trailers, and buses, with effect from today, Monday, May 6. UNRA said only passenger vehicles carrying 28 people or fewer would be allowed to continue using the bridge.
“The continued exposure of the bridge to the ever-increasing heavy traffic is likely to increase its deterioration and serviceability if not addressed in time,” the statement read in part.
UNRA stated that it has commenced the process of identifying a competent contractor who will undertake the restoration of the bridge structure as quickly as possible. Allan Ssempebwa, UNRA’s Media Relations Manager, said that the advisory is intended to ensure the safety of motorists.
“…All heavy trucks shall be diverted to different routes. Only lighter passenger vehicles will be permitted, and this is to ensure that we safeguard the safety of motorists and their goods,” Ssempebwa said.
Motorists from Kampala heading to Gulu/West Nile Region have now been advised to take the alternative route through Luwero-Kafu, Masindi-Paraa, and Murchison Falls National Park to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo, and vice versa for motorists from Gulu/West Nile.
Meanwhile, motorists from Lira have been advised to take the alternative route through eastern Uganda via Iganga, Nakalama, Tirinyi, Pallisa, Kumi, Soroti, and then to Lira, and vice versa.
UNRA said the government is currently fast-tracking the processes of securing funding for the construction of a new bridge as a long-term solution. The bridge closure comes just two months after UNRA conducted quality inspections on the bridge as it plans the construction of a new one.
Karuma Bridge serves as an important highway connecting the country to the northern region.
Credit: Kaaro Karungi News
