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In May, UNRA announced the closure of Karuma bridge for scheduled maintenance. These in a statement said “Only passenger vehicles carrying upto 28 persons will be allowed to use the bridge. We anticipate that this intervention will be completed in three months”.
UNRA made the announce of Karuma’s closure for heavy traffic vehicles which were redirected through Murchison Falls or using the Eastern route through Busoga and Teso following the Condition assessment of the bridge which they say some elements of the bridge structure [the concrete deck] had deteriorated particularly on the Kampala approach lane.
“The continued exposure of the bridge to the ever-increasing heavy traffic is likely to accelerate it’s deterioration and serviceability if not addressed in time”- UNRA said in a statement.
The aging bridge, UNRA said requires urgent intervention, and as such, it has commenced the process to identifying a competent contractor who will undertake the restoration of the bridge structure as quickly as possibly.
“Given the above, Karuma Bridge will be closed to all lorries, trailers and buses from Monday, May 6, 2024. Only passenger vehicles carrying upto 28 passengers will be allowed to use the bridge. We anticipate that this intervention will be completed in three months”-UNRA announced
Now one monthly later after the closure of Karuma bridge to heavy traffic, MPs from Northern Uganda have accused Uganda National Roads Authority & security personnel currently managing Karuma bridge, of bribery & extortion, claiming that truck drivers are being ordered to pay Shs300,000, while buses Shs200,000 per route to use the bridge at night, saying such greedy and selfish acts are endangering lives of people using a bridge that was closed off after developing cracks.
The MPs included; Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South), alongside Judith Peace Achan (Nwoya DWR), Boniface Okot (Youth Northern), Linda Auma (Lira DWR) & Denis Oneka (Kitgum Municipality) raised the concern during a press briefing at Parliament, where they decried the high cost of living in their region following the closure of the bridge, due to disruptions in trade.
“The trucks & buses come during day time, and park near Karuma bridge. At night hours, the truck owners pay Shs300,000 and are allowed to cross the bridge which was closed. The buses are paying Shs200,000 to cross Karuma. Now we are looking as if UNRA must be conniving with security personnel that are blocking the bridge to extort money from the truck owners and buses that are moving to Northern Uganda. As if at night hours, the bridge becomes stronger and during day time, the bridge is weak,” said Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South).
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