Uganda is set to get a new bridge at Karuma after the government awarded a Shs98.4 billion (approximately $24 million) construction contract to Japan’s ZENITAKA Corporation.
The bridge will be constructed along the Kampala-Gulu highway under a project led by the Ministry of Works and Transport. The works are expected to last three years, with Oriental Consultants Global tasked with supervising construction to ensure compliance with technical standards and the agreed schedule.
Project specifications indicate that the new bridge will be 245 metres long and 11.5 metres wide, comprising three spans. The Japanese government will finance the project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under its Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan programme.
The development is aimed at improving road safety and easing transportation across the River Nile, where the existing Karuma Bridge has become increasingly unreliable due to its age and deteriorating condition.
Constructed in 1963, the current bridge has played a critical role in connecting Kampala with northern Uganda and neighbouring countries, particularly South Sudan. However, its condition has worsened over the years, prompting repeated maintenance works and temporary closures.
Restrictions imposed on heavy vehicles have further affected traffic flow, creating challenges for businesses, passengers and transport operators using the major highway.
The replacement bridge will adopt a modern cable-stayed design and a straighter alignment intended to eliminate the sharp curves that have made the existing crossing hazardous.
Authorities plan to maintain the old bridge throughout the construction period to avoid disrupting traffic. The new structure is expected to support heavier vehicles and provide a safer, more efficient transport link once completed.
The project is expected to strengthen connectivity along the Kampala-Gulu corridor while improving the movement of people and goods between central and northern Uganda.
