Reconstruction works on the Katonga Bridge along the Kampala–Masaka Highway are entering the final stretch, with authorities indicating the project may be completed earlier than planned.
According to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the new bridge structure is now largely complete, with key components already in place. The deck has been fully installed, forming a continuous concrete surface across the span, while safety railings have been fitted on both sides.
Despite ongoing works, traffic flow along the highway remains uninterrupted, with vehicles using temporary access routes set up during construction.
Engineers say the redesigned bridge marks a significant upgrade from the previous structure. Built higher and stretching further across the floodplain, the new bridge is intended to better withstand rising water levels by allowing floodwaters to pass more freely underneath.
The Katonga Bridge, which crosses the River Katonga in Mpigi District, is a vital transport link on one of Uganda’s busiest highways, connecting the country to regional markets including Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The original bridge was destroyed in May 2023 after heavy flash floods swept through the area, cutting off traffic for months and disrupting trade and travel along the key route.
