In a significant development, the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, has announced that the construction of a new bridge at the Katonga River along the Kampala-Masaka Highway will commence in October 2024.
This ambitious project aims to revitalize a critical trade route that has been severely impacted by the damage to the existing bridge.
During a plenary sitting on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Kashari North County Member of Parliament, Hon. Basil Bataringaya, brought the matter to the attention of the minister, expressing concern that repairs on the existing bridge had been abandoned.
Bataringaya highlighted the inconvenience caused to traders due to the closure of the bridge, stating, “Last year, the Katonga bridge was swept away and closed for more than six months.
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Temporary measures were taken to repair this bridge, and traffic was channeled through the long Sembabule road, which was inconveniencing to traders in terms of money and time.”
In response, Gen. Katumba Wamala revealed that the construction of a new bridge had been delayed due to the need to study the meteorological behaviors of the river.
“We had to study the meteorological behaviors of that river so that we can make a new structure which is resilient and will stand the test of time.
We could not rush into establishing more or less the same bridge which had been compromised,” he explained.
The minister also assured that the contractor will address the challenges within Kalandazi and Lwera swamps to ensure that the section of the road is restored to meet the challenges of the truck volumes.
He urged road users to exercise patience during the construction period, emphasizing that the new bridge will be a resilient structure that will withstand the test of time.
“I want us to understand these structures are not simple structures to do. If we do a structure in a hurry, and it gives away in a few years, it will be this same House that will put us to task.
This is a very sensitive structure, and so it should be done with all the caution and detail it deserves,” said Katumba Wamala.
