The Ministry of Works and Transport has extended the temporary closure of the Karuma and Ayago bridges by one week, pushing the reopening date to March 17, 2025. Initially, the bridges were set to close on March 10 to allow for the installation of expansion joints.
In a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) platform on Sunday, the Ministry explained that the extension was necessary to allow the government to complete repairs on the Masindi Port Ferry, which has been designated as one of the alternative routes for motorists.
During the extended closure, motorists travelling from Kampala to Gulu or West Nile are advised to use the Luwero-Kafu-Masindi-Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park)-Pakwach route or travel via Olwiyo to Gulu. For those heading from Kampala to Lira, the recommended route is through Iganga, Nakalama, Tirinyi, Pallisa, Kumi, Soroti, and Lira.
According to the Ministry, both bridges are scheduled to reopen to traffic on April 7, 2025, after the completion of the expansion joint installation. The Ministry stated that during the closure, Karuma and Ayago Bridges will remain inaccessible to all traffic to facilitate the scheduled installation of expansion joints. The reopening is planned for Monday, April 7, 2025.
The installation of expansion joints on Karuma Bridge was initially planned for February, following the delivery of four expansion joints from China in late January.
Karuma Bridge was previously reopened on December 20, 2024, after undergoing three months of major repairs on its deck and bearings, which had been severely worn out.
With the extended closure, motorists are urged to use the designated alternative routes to minimize disruptions. The government has assured the public that all efforts are being made to complete the installation of expansion joints and reopen the bridges as scheduled.
