Katonga Bridge on the Kampala-Masaka Highway is now open to the public as of this morning.
Severe floods in May, triggered by heavy torrential rains, submerged and washed away the bridge, causing significant disruptions to transportation, trade, and commerce along the Masaka–Kampala highway.
Motorists travelling from Kampala were forced to use the Mpigi-Butambala-Ssembabule Road, while those from Masaka relied on the Masaka-Ssembabule Road as an alternative route.
To address the issue swiftly, the Government, in June, contracted China Communications Construction Company – CCC Ltd to construct a temporary steel bridge at Katonga River. This temporary structure will divert traffic as the company reconstructs the damaged section.
Eng. Samuel Muhoozi, the Director of Roads and Bridge Development at the Uganda National Roads Authority – UNRA, confirmed that the temporary bridge is ready for use. It is designed to carry loads of up to 60 tonnes at any given time.
The temporary steel bridge spans 100 meters and is expected to serve as a crucial passage for approximately 30,000 vehicles that cross it daily.
Eng. Muhoozi stated that the reconstruction of the Katonga Bridge is projected to last for two years.
The Kampala-Masaka highway plays a vital role in connecting Uganda to neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC.