New cable-stayed bridge construction scheduled to start
Gulu, Uganda | URN | The old Karuma Bridge will remain open to motorists during the construction of a new cable-stayed bridge across the Victoria Nile, the Ministry of Works and Transport has said.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry’s Senior Communications Officer, said construction works commenced on October 1, 2026, with the contractor currently mobilising equipment and setting out the work.
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network in an interview on Wednesday, Ainebyoona said the existing bridge will remain operational to facilitate traffic flow, provide an alternative route during emergencies and serve as a tourist attraction.
“The purpose of the old bridge will be both for traffic flow and tourist attraction,” Ainebyoona said.
Government awarded the construction contract to Japanese firm Zenitaka Corporation in July this year at a cost of 24 million US dollars (approximately 98 billion Shillings). Oriental Consultants Global was contracted to provide consultancy and supervision services for the three-year project, which is expected to improve connectivity to and from Northern Uganda.
In a statement issued earlier on Wednesday, Ainebyoona said that the Ministry was committed to delivering a safe and resilient bridge.
He explained that although the old bridge underwent major renovation more than a year ago, it’s substructures were not replaced, necessitating the construction of a new bridge to guarantee structural integrity and safer travel.
Ainebyoona also cited safety concerns along the existing bridge’s approach roads, particularly the sharp S-bends, which pose risks to heavily loaded trucks.
“Though the bridge is repaired, many trucks still fall or get accidents at the S-curves as they maneuver through,” he said.
He added that the existing bridge has only two narrow lanes, while its sharp approach curves limit the speed at which vehicles can cross, making it difficult to efficiently manage traffic. In January this year, a Fuso truck, registration number UAY 284Q, which was transporting maize from Lelabaro Trading Centre in Omoro District to Central Uganda plunged into River Nile at Karuma Bridge killing seven occupants.
The new bridge, he said, will have straighter approach roads to facilitate smoother and faster movement of vehicles.
Ainebyoona further noted that the new bridge will feature a unique extradosed/cable-stayed design, which will be the first of its kind in Northern Uganda.
“Students and local tourists will not need to travel to Jinja to see a cable-stayed bridge. It will also offer diverse tourism opportunities, both for viewing the structure and for animal viewing in Murchison Falls National Park,” he said.
The new bridge will measure 245 metres in length and 11.5 metres in width, with a seven-metre-wide carriageway and a two-metre pedestrian walkway.
Upon completion, the bridge is expected to improve traffic flow, accommodate heavy vehicles and enhance connectivity across the Victoria Nile, easing access to Northern Uganda and other parts of the country.
The existing Karuma Bridge, which is now 64 years old, was originally designed to have a lifespan of 50 years.
It has undergone major repairs twice, first in 2012 and again in November 2024, when it was closed for three months after engineers identified structural deterioration affecting its expansion joints, bearings, bridge deck concrete and reinforcement steel.
The renovation works included the installation of lighting, new expansion joints, bearings and reinforcement steel on the bridge deck. According to engineers, the repairs are expected to extend the lifespan of the existing bridge by more than 20 years.
