Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Katonga Bridge
Search
Mpigi
Signs that the long-awaited new Katonga Bridge is nearing full functionality are beginning to show positively after almost 20 months of construction work.
The newly raised bridge over River Katonga has reached its final stages and, by Wednesday, May 20, both transit and private vehicles had started using the straight section, leaving the temporary bridge on the sides.
However, motorists experienced difficulties using the route, leading to a severe traffic jam that lasted until the wee hours of Thursday morning, with travel from Kayabwe to Lukaya taking up to eight hours.
The construction of the new permanent bridge over River Katonga on the Kampala–Masaka Highway was contracted to the China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC).
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) awarded the project, which includes the construction of a raised pre-stressed concrete bridge and repairs to damaged sections of the highway, to the Chinese firm.
The bridge sits over River Katonga along the vital Kampala–Masaka Highway, serving as a key trade route connecting Uganda to neighbouring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Construction began in October 2024 following flash floods that severely damaged the old structure in May 2023.
Torch Media Africa
