The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has announced that the Karuma and Ayago Bridges along the Kampala-Gulu Highway will be reopened to all traffic on the morning of Monday, April 14, 2025, following a three-week closure for essential maintenance.
According to the Ministry, the closure allowed for the successful installation and curing of expansion joints key components that ensure the bridge’s structural safety and longevity.
“These are critical components that allow the bridge structure to expand and contract with temperature changes and traffic loads, thereby maintaining its structural integrity and extending its lifespan,” the Ministry explained in a statement released over the weekend.
The bridges were temporarily closed on 24 March 2025 to enable these vital repairs. During the closure, road users had to take alternative routes, leading to travel delays and logistical challenges for commuters and transporters moving between central and northern Uganda.
The Ministry expressed appreciation to the public for their patience and understanding throughout the maintenance period.
“We thank all road users and stakeholders for their patience and cooperation during this essential maintenance period,” the statement read.
While the bridges will now be open to traffic, the Ministry noted that some complementary works will continue.
These include the installation of guardrails, street lighting, river training works, cat’s eyes, and the painting of structural steel plate girders under the bridge. However, these activities will not affect traffic flow.
The reopening of Karuma and Ayago bridges marks a return to normalcy along one of Uganda’s most critical transport corridors, offering much-needed relief to travelers and businesses that depend on the Kampala-Gulu Highway.
