New Nile Bridge to be commissioned on October 17

Oct 02, 2018

The Japanese government has so far injected sh492b into the Nile Bridge construction, which will replace the old bridge

The ICT and National Guidance minister, Frank Tumwebaze, has revealed that on October 17, the multi-billion cable suspension bridge across River Nile at Njeru, will be commissioned.

Addressing the media on Tuesday at Uganda Media Centre, Tumwebaze said, a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni on Monday, endorsed the move to commission the new Nile Bridge.

The construction of the bridge has been financed by the Japanese government.

inister rank umwebaze addressing the press at ganda edia entre hoto by icholas nealMinister Frank Tumwebaze addressing the press at Uganda Media Centre. Photo by Nicholas Oneal

 

"Cabinet noted the update on the progress of the construction of the new bridge across River Nile at Jinja and that the bridge will be commissioned on October 17, 2018," Tumwebaze said.

In November 2010, Japan signed a loan agreement with Uganda, where JICA undertook to fund the construction of the Nile Bridge.

 

he bridge has been undergoing static load testing hoto by onald iiryaThe bridge has been undergoing static load testing. Photo by Donald Kiirya

 

The Japanese government has so far injected sh492b into the Nile Bridge construction, which is expected to replace the old bridge.

The existing bridge was constructed by the British in 1954. With an increasing business trajectory and transportation of the products from Mombasa to Uganda, government realised the need for the construction of a new bridge.

 

By 2020, experts say, the average number of passengers is expected to increase by 33,000 per day and the average cargo weight by 50,000 tons daily compared to the current 2008.

The Japanese loan agreement for the Nile Bridge construction will be paid back at 0.01 % of annual interest rate within 40 years. Under the concession, Uganda was given a grace period of 10 years.

Access roads to the bridge will also be revamped under the loan agreement.

 

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