Lawmakers from Northern Uganda have tasked the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to expedite the repairs on the Karuma Bridge to ease the movement of goods and passengers.
Karuma Bridge, a major link and gateway between Midwestern, Northern Uganda, and West Nile Sub regions was temporarily closed to heavy traffic in April this year.
The closure follows assessments carried out by UNRA in December 2023 that found faults in its structures.
At the first regional plenary sitting in Gulu City on Wednesday, lawmakers however raised concerns over the urgent need to fix the bridge owing to the transportation challenges affecting Northern Uganda.
This follows a report presented by the committee on physical infrastructure that further reveals the bridge bearings are faulty, the expansion joints are worn out and structural cracks have developed beneath the structure.
The committee’s assessment of the Karuma and Pakwach bridge and other infrastructure in Northern Uganda was conducted between August 4th and 10th this year.
Tony Awany, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure told the house that Karuma Bridge specifically was constructed in 1962 and had outlived its lifespan.
He says the committee had been informed that the emergency repairs of the bridge were to be completed by June, but the works were delayed further putting transportation at stake.
The government last month awarded the contract to repair the Bridge to National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) and China Seventh Railway Group for a contract sum of 7.9 billion shillings for three months.
While the contract was to start on July 15, 2024, the committee found the physical progress was only at 1.02 percent achieved against the 2.20 percent planned.
The contractor has however planned to carry out retrofitting of the existing foundation, framework, and concrete finish to the deck, reconstruction of damaged, installation of expansion joints-deck, elastomeric bearings, and inspection of girders, diaphragms, and retrofitting.
He says due to the prolonged closure of the bridge, travelers are experiencing delays in reaching their destination and the movement of goods.
Vehicles have since been rerouted to other areas which has increased travel time and cost of transportation.
The committee has since come out with three key recommendations to the government among ensuring strict adherence to the work program for remedial works to ensure normal traffic is restored not later than December 19.
The need for disbursement of funding for pro-active assessment of major bridge structures across the country to determine structural integrity and soundness.
Meanwhile, the committee also recommended the need for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to consider providing a waiver to public transportation within the National Park.
Currently, UWA charges 30,000 shillings for vehicles crossing through the Murchison Falls National Park
Reacting to the presentation, Anthony Akol, the Kilak North Legislator however observes that the structural faults on Karuma Bridge put the lives of motorists at great risk, given the fact that the problems are now beyond the bearings.
Akol says he is skeptical the repairs will be completed within the contract timeframe and urged the government to conduct further investigation.
Jane Avur Pacoto, the Pakwach Woman Member of Parliament tasked UNRA to stick to the specified period for the maintenance work for Karuma Bridge.
She says critical infrastructures like bridges and roads must be a priority for government expenditures and implores that the sitting sends a signal to the Ministry of Finance.
The lawmakers also during the plenary presented on the floor of parliament the worrying state of Pakwach Bridge and the floating vegetation affecting fishing and transportation on Albert Nile.
Other issues raised include the government’s urgent need to address poor road networks within the Acholi, Lango, and West Nile regions with a focus on the Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Vura Road, Gulu- Moroto road, Kitgum-Kidepo road, Pader-Kalongo to Paimol road, Gulu Patiko road among others.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among however deferred the presentation by Linda Auma Agness, the Lira District Woman legislator on the report of the sectoral committee on agriculture, animal industry, and fisheries on the state of water for production facilities in northern Uganda. She cited the committee’s report wasn’t comprehensive.
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