Japan gives Sh230b for new Jinja bridge
Nov 01, 2010
JAPAN has granted Uganda sh230b to build a new bridge on River Nile in Jinja. It is expected to serve as a major trade route connecting Uganda to the Kenyan port of Mombasa, Rwanda, Burundi, the DR Congo as well as Central Africa.
By Tadeo Bwambale
JAPAN has granted Uganda sh230b to build a new bridge on River Nile in Jinja. It is expected to serve as a major trade route connecting Uganda to the Kenyan port of Mombasa, Rwanda, Burundi, the DR Congo as well as Central Africa.
It will replace the bridge at the Nalubaale Dam, formerly known as the Owen Falls Dam, which is in danger of collapsing.
The old bridge, which was commissioned in 1954, houses Uganda’s main source of hydro-electricity.
Construction work on the new bridge is expected to start in March 2012 and will take four years, according to works minister Eng. John Nasasira.
Nasasira said the bridge would also serve as a tourist attraction.
According to the project design, the new bridge will be 525 metres long, with a dual lane and three span cables, making it the largest in the country. The project is jointly funded by the Ugandan government and Japan.
Speaking at the signing of a loan financing agreement at the finance ministry in Kampala yesterday, Japanese ambassador Keiichi Kato said the project was a sign of an enduring partnership between Japan and Uganda.
He said the bridge would strengthen Uganda’s relationship with its neighbours, as well as improve trade in the East Africa.
Finance minister Syda Bumba said the project was a government initiative to address infrastructure deficiency in the country.
Repayment of the loan will take up to 10 years, with a possible extension of 40 years, Bumba said.
JAPAN has granted Uganda sh230b to build a new bridge on River Nile in Jinja. It is expected to serve as a major trade route connecting Uganda to the Kenyan port of Mombasa, Rwanda, Burundi, the DR Congo as well as Central Africa.
It will replace the bridge at the Nalubaale Dam, formerly known as the Owen Falls Dam, which is in danger of collapsing.
The old bridge, which was commissioned in 1954, houses Uganda’s main source of hydro-electricity.
Construction work on the new bridge is expected to start in March 2012 and will take four years, according to works minister Eng. John Nasasira.
Nasasira said the bridge would also serve as a tourist attraction.
According to the project design, the new bridge will be 525 metres long, with a dual lane and three span cables, making it the largest in the country. The project is jointly funded by the Ugandan government and Japan.
Speaking at the signing of a loan financing agreement at the finance ministry in Kampala yesterday, Japanese ambassador Keiichi Kato said the project was a sign of an enduring partnership between Japan and Uganda.
He said the bridge would strengthen Uganda’s relationship with its neighbours, as well as improve trade in the East Africa.
Finance minister Syda Bumba said the project was a government initiative to address infrastructure deficiency in the country.
Repayment of the loan will take up to 10 years, with a possible extension of 40 years, Bumba said.