Government Begins Construction of Shs88bn New Karuma Bridge

What the report says

The Ugandan government has started work on a new Karuma Bridge over the River Nile, according to Nile Post. The project is valued at about USD24 million, or Shs88 billion, and is being supported by a Japanese grant administered through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Japanese contractor Zenitaka Corporation is carrying out the construction, which is expected to take 36 months.

The new crossing will be a 245-metre, cable-supported bridge designed to replace the aging structure built in 1963. Ministry of Works and Transport officials said the existing bridge has a narrow roadway, sharp bends and deteriorating parts that have made it difficult for motorists, especially heavy trucks and other commercial vehicles. The ministry says the new design should improve safety, reduce accident risks and allow smoother traffic movement on this key route.

The bridge is strategically important because it sits on the Northern Corridor, which links central Uganda with the north and West Nile, and supports trade with neighbouring countries including Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The old bridge suffered serious structural problems in 2024, leading to weight restrictions, a temporary closure and repair works before it fully reopened in 2025.

The ministry said the existing bridge will remain in use during construction rather than being demolished or closed, helping maintain traffic flow while the new crossing is built. The project adds to Uganda’s limited number of cable-supported bridges and reflects broader efforts to strengthen regional transport infrastructure.