MP Mapenduzi urges replacement of Karuma bridge

Bardege-Layibi Division MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi has appealed to the Government to replace the 60-year-old Karuma bridge following the increasing road accidents that have claimed lives at the section.

The bridge is on the Gulu-Kampala Highway.

On Thursday, Mapenduzi told Parliament that the bridge has become dangerous and therefore needs reconstruction to be able to handle the current demands and challenges.

He said that since 2011, many trucks have plunged into the river, some claiming the lives of their occupants.

He made the plea as a matter of national importance during Thursday's plenary sitting that was chaired by Speaker Anita Among.

The legislator's plea follows the latest incident that saw a trailer plunge into the River Nile after going over the barriers at the bridge on Tuesday this week.

Hours later, the vehicle was seen floating downstream, about 10 kilometres from the bridge, and the bodies of the two occupants are yet to be retrieved or recovered.

Works and transport minister Gen. Katumba Wamala said the Government recognizes the fact that the bridge has outlived its usefulness and that the ministry is mobilizing funds from development partners for a new bridge.

“We are in the process of redesigning a new bridge. We are only challenged by lack of funds,” he said.

Wamala said the ministry will in the meantime reinforce speed control measures on the bridge to reduce the carnage.

“We have put in place speed control measures such as humps, soldiers and Police traffic control units to man the bridge. We are ensuring that even if a truck loses control, it will not go over into the river."

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