By KT Reporter
The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has commenced repairs on a damaged section of the bridge connecting Kamdini to Karuma..
The repairs along the Kampala-Gulu highway started with a diversion over the river to allow traffic flow.
Nora Bridge- linking Oyam and Nwoya districts closed after water levels rose above the culverts, forcing torrents through the embankment and causing it to collapse. The Kamdini–Karuma is a vital lifeline for Northern Uganda and the entire North-Eastern corridor, linking goods and travelers to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A prolonged closure threatens to choke regional trade and disrupt the livelihoods of thousands who depend on daily movement between districts.
“It’s a very important road, and that is why we are creating a diversion to allow traffic,” said one of the engineers at the site, who requested anonymity.
“We want to reopen the bridge and build a stronger structure that can handle the high water volumes.”
Traffic from Lira and beyond Karuma was diverted through a long-winding alternative route through Apac Rwekunye to Masindi Port, the Lira- Dokolo- Amolatar- Namasale ferry to Nakasongola, or through Gulu- Anaka- Nakasongola via Murchison National Park.
For many travelers, the longer route will come with added costs in the form of fuel and time.
But for some, the crisis has opened a temporary opportunity. Motorcyclists were transporting the stranded passengers across the damaged section to Karuma town and the URA checkpoint.
To ease the growing frustrations of road users, engineers were working hard to complete a temporary diversion over the river.The alternative route is expected to be ready in about two weeks, is intended to reduce the long diversions and restore at least partial mobility as full reconstruction of the bridge begins.
Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South Member of Parliament, urged the Ministry of Works to ensure that the challenge is addressed soon, especially now that children are about to return home from school.
“Let the diversion be created, and as traffic follows through the diversion, money must be mobilized as fast as possible, so that this place is rectified permanently.” He said.
“Looking at the culverts that were fixed, I think this culvert has taken quite a long time.”
Olanya argued that “limited resources” should not be used as an excuse to subject the people of Northern Uganda to further misery.
On the other hand, Patrick Okwir, a resident of Kamdini, expressed disappointment over the poor status of roads in the country.
On November 1st, the Nora Bridge first showed signs of distress when heavy rains caused an embankment failure that forced traffic into a single lane. Weeks later, the situation worsened into a complete shutdown- highlighting the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure along this crucial highway.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
