With the bridge slated to replace the aging structure built in 1963, the project is crucial for Uganda’s infrastructure development, particularly for northern regions and regional trade.
The Karuma Bridge, located on the Kampala-Gulu highway, serves as a lifeline connecting southern and northern Uganda.
It also plays a vital role in providing regional connectivity to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, facilitating trade and movement of goods between Uganda and its neighbors.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama, expressed gratitude for Japan’s “long-standing support in developing the country’s transport sector.”
The new bridge, designed with a higher elevation and improved safety features, will replace the deteriorating structure, which has been prone to accidents due to its sharp bends and insufficient capacity for modern traffic loads.
Local communities have been eagerly awaiting the replacement, as the new bridge will enhance safety, reduce travel times, and boost economic activity by facilitating the smoother transport of agricultural products and other goods.
The other JICA-funded projects that were discussed include; New Bridges across River Nile at Jinja, upgrading of Atiak-Nimule road, the Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project.
The rest are, Traffic Control Project, Project for Improvement of National Roads in Refugee-hosting Areas of West Nile Sub-region, Improvement of Gulu Municipal Roads Project and Capacity Development for Improvement of Road Construction and Maintenance Project.
Officials say as the timeline for the Karuma Bridge project draws nearer, with construction expected to begin around 2029, the collaboration between Uganda and Japan remains critical.
The new infrastructure is poised to not only improve local livelihoods but also solidify Uganda’s role in regional development.
