Karuma Bridge Expansion Joint Installation Completed, Reopening Expected by April 17
Kiryandongo: The installation of four expansion joints at Karuma Bridge has been successfully finished, according to Hon. Tony Awany, the Nwoya County MP and deputy chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee in Parliament.
In an exclusive interview with this publication on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Hon. Awany provided an update, confirming that the installation of the four expansion joints at Karuma Bridge has been completed, with the concrete now curing.
He also noted that engineers have already shifted their focus to Ayago Bridge along the Karuma-Olwiyo road, where preparations are underway to install two additional expansion joints.
Engineers are carefully monitoring the strength development of the cured concrete, with the bridge expected to reopen by April 17, 2025, or possibly even earlier.
Karuma Bridge, situated on the Kampala–Gulu highway at Karuma Falls, was closed to traffic in May 2024 due to severe structural problems. After extensive repairs, the bridge was partially reopened in December 2024.
Constructed in 1964, Karuma Bridge is 61 years old and plays a vital role as a key transportation link. It connects East and Central African countries to Kenya’s port of Mombasa and serves as an essential route to South Sudan, enabling the movement of goods and services throughout the region.
