The bridge that acts as an essential connection on the Kampala-Juba highway was fully closed to traffic on September 23, 2024, to facilitate critical repair works

By James Chatim

Several Ugandan traders in Juba have welcomed with jubilations the reopening of Karuma Bridge after about four months of closure.

The bridge that acts as an essential connection on the Kampala-Juba highway was fully closed to traffic on September 23, 2024, to facilitate critical repair works following the discovery of significant structural defects. 

Yesterday, the authorities in Uganda officially reopened the bridge for traffic which the Ugandan government said is a Christmas gift for those who ply the Kampala-Juba highway.  

Normally travelling from Kampala to Gulu along the Gulu-Kampala Highway via Karuma Bridge typically covers 310km and takes about five hours.

However, when Karuma Bridge was temporarily closed, travellers were using alternative routes as they navigated through Murchison Falls National Park adding 150km stretching the journey to between 8 to 10 hours.

Expressing his excitement over this latest development, Mr. Walugembe Mawazi, the Information Secretary for Ugandan Community at Freedom Square Business Center in Konyo Konyo described the reopening of Karuma Bridge as a significant step from the government of Uganda.

Mawazi said the temporary closure of the bridge had affected their business particularly, the traders who deal in fresh vegetables and fruits. 

“The reopening of the Karuma Bridge is an amazing step for us the traders working in fresh such as vegetables and fruits. When Karuma Bridge was closed, it put us down because we traveled from Kampala to Mabari (Mabari forest) and it took a long time,” he said.

“The fresh tomatoes and other fresh vegetables and fruits we bring get spoiled and this is a great loss for traders. In addition to this, the long distance to transport the goods is costly, and this results in traders to add for selling which causes high prices for the customers,” said Mawazi.

Ms. Dradiga Ritah, a business lady in Konyo Konyo, said the reopening of the Karuma Bridge has many advantages as the goods from Uganda to Konyo Konyo will arrive in time to avoid damages and losses that often occur as a result of long storage.

“The advantages of the bridge being opened is that our goods will come in time and the transport cost will be reduced. So we are going to avoid the losses that we have been experiencing as things will not spoil on the way.”

“The distance was so long and you know vegetables when they take long in the vehicles get spoiled. And the long-distance also costs a lot, this can force the traders to increase the selling prices which lead our customers to buy goods at high prices. We are so happy to the Uganda authorities for they work on Karuma Bridge because at least now we can reduce losses, especially, we the traders selling fresh,” Ms. Ritha added.

Another trader who often travels between Uganda and South Sudan, Mr. Isaac, said the reopening of the Karuma Bridge would help to reduce the prices of goods.

“It is good for the traders to reduce the losses because we increased the prices as a result of the closing of the Karuma Bridge. Now we are very happy that our bridge is opened and for us, we will reduce the prices for some of the items,” he said.

“The transportation was doubled three times. So we are very happy because now we will get our fruits and vegetables fresh. According to him when the Karuma Bridge was closed, from Kampala to Nimule it used to take two to three days for their goods to reach Juba.

“So, we appreciate and thank the government of Uganda for helping us and opening for us the Karuma Bridge,” he added.

Issac said previously that hiring a truck from Kampala to Juba was very costly because every driver was talking about the closure of the bridge.

 “It is good for the traders to reduce the losses because we increased the prices as a result of the closing of the Karuma Bridge. Now we are very happy that our bridge is opened and for us, we will reduce the prices for some of the items,” Mr. Isaac, a trader who often travels between Uganda and South Sudan.