KARUMA BRIDGE REPAIR WORKS STARTS NEXT WEEK.
27TH AUGUST 2024
The first day of the regional parliamentary sitting in Gulu city ended up handling two reports focusing on the Agriculture sector and Physical infrastructure of the region.
Parliament that was presided over by the speaker of parliament Anita Among learnt that the construction of a New Bridge at Karuma is expected to start in September 2026, following the closure of Karuma Bridge in April 2024, in order to undertake repair works to salvage the cracks that had developed cracked, after being in use for over 62 years, despite the initial lifespan of 50years at time of its construction in 1962.
This was contained in the Physical infrastructure committee report presented by the deputy chairperson Tony Awany , on the status of transport infrastructure in Northern Ugandan .
It should be recalled that in April 2024, the Ministry of Works announced an immediate closure of the bridge for three months to enable repair works and although Government had pledged to complete the works in June 2024, it wasn’t until 15th July 2024 that the contract for the works were signed and according to the latest changes, the works were meant to start on 19th August 2024 and be completed on 14thOctober 2024.
“During the remedial works, the bridge will be closed to all traffic for a period of 3-4 months to enable the demolition of the bridge deck, replacement of the bearings, restoration joints and restoration of the deck. These remedial works are expected to extend the service life of the bridge by 2-5years during which time, normal traffic will be possible,” explained Awany.
The Committee recommended that UNRA should expedite the completion of necessary processes including feasibility studies, designs, acquisition of land and sourcing of funding in order to ensure that construction of a New Bridge at Karuma can commence as planned in September 2026.
In the Committee’s recommendations to Parliament, the MPs of the Physical Infrastructure Committee asked UNRA to ensure that the works are completed by 19th December 2024, and there were also appeals to Uganda Wildlife Authority to waive the fees imposed on the vehicles that pass through Murchison Falls National Park, and Government further revealed that the anticipated works will add a 2-5year life span to the Karuma Bridge. “Uganda Wildlife Authority to consider providing a waiver for transport through the National Park during the period of emergency restoration works are being undertaken on Karuma Bridge,” noted Awany.
MP Kimaanya Kabonera urged leaders from the north to advocate for coffee growing in the region to enable people fight poverty.
“there is no single project of agriculture that cannot be done in northern Uganda ,coffee ca be there ,why can’t northern demand for coffee seedlings “,said Bwanika .
Comments