The construction of a new bridge at the Katonga River along the Kampala-Masaka highway will begin in October 2024, announced the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala. He made this announcement during a plenary session in Parliament on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, responding to concerns raised by Basil Bataringaya, Member of Parliament for Kashari North County.
Bataringaya highlighted the urgency of repairing the existing Katonga bridge, which had been compromised last year. He noted that temporary repairs had been made, but the bridge had been closed for over six months, causing significant inconvenience to traders who had to use the longer Sembabule road.
Wamala explained that the deterioration of the bridge was due to meteorological changes affecting the river’s behavior. He emphasized the importance of studying these changes to design a new, resilient structure. Rushing to rebuild the same type of bridge that had failed would be unwise, he stated.
The minister assured that the new construction would address challenges in the Kalandazi and Lwera swamps, ensuring that the road section can handle heavy truck volumes. He called for patience from road users on the Kampala-Masaka highway, stressing that the new bridge is a complex project requiring careful planning and execution.
Wamala did not disclose the contractor, costs, or duration of the construction project. The original Katonga Bridge was destroyed by flash floods in May 2023, leading to a diversion for heavy trucks to the Mpigi-Sembabule-Masaka road.
