Renovation Works At Karuma Bridge Excites Lango Engineers

Nwoya, Uganda: A ray of hope shines on the travels to Northern Uganda as the renovation works of Karuma Bridge nears completion and will soon be opened to traffic. 

This was revealed during a professional trip to the bridge on Saturday organised by Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers ( UIPE) - Lira Branch.

The professional trip involved many Engineering professionals and students from Lango to inspect the construction and renovation works being undertaken at the bridge.

Bongomin Charles, the Assistant Resident Engineer at the bridge highlighted that they are currently finishing the reinforcement of the deck which will swiftly be followed by the casting of the concrete.

He further stated that the bridge will be able to accomodate small vehicles in 3 weeks time and the big trucks when the concrete attains its maximum strength.

On safety of the bridge, Bongomin said that new safety measures such as retaining walls, guard Rails, street lights and appropiate road signages will be installed along the bridge stretch.

Jimmy Mark Alany the vice chairperson of Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers, Lira branch thanked the construction team for the good work.

He added that trip has exposed them to new professional skills and created nextwork.

The emergency restoration works of Karuma Bridge is currently  undertaken by China Railways 7th Group under the supervision of Uganda National Roads Authority, UNRA at a cost 11.9 Billion Uganda Shillings.

Karuma Bridge whose emergency renovation works started in July is expected to be fully opened for Traffic in December, 2024.

Karuma Bridge was first constructed in 1963 to allow connect people of northen Uganda to the central part of Uganda.