Occupants of a truck that plunged into river Nile at Karuma bridge are still missing as rescue efforts entered a third day on Sunday. The truck reportedly lost control on Friday shortly after 8:00pm at the bridge built in the 1960s. But almost three days later, the truck or its occupants (who are feared dead) are yet to be found.
Following the increasing road accidents that have claimed lives at the Karuma Bridge, government has been asked to replace the 60year old bridge.
The call was made by Members of Parliament following the latest incident where a trailer plunged into the River Nile after going over the barriers at the bridge on Tuesday, 20 June 2023.
Bardege-Layibi Division Member of Parliament, Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi said the bridge has become dangerous with over 25 trucks and the occupants never recovered since 2011.
Mapenduzi made the plea as a matter of national importance during the plenary sitting on Thursday, 22 June 2023 that was chaired by Speaker, Anita Among.
He prayed that government considers a new bridge with new designs to address the current demands and challenges.
The Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala said government recognizes the fact that the bridge has outlived its usefulness and that the ministry is mobilizing funds from development partners for a new bridge.
“We are in the process of redesigning a new bridge; we are only challenged by lack of funds,” Katumba Wamala said.
Katumba Wamala said the ministry will in the meantime reinforce speed control measures on the bridge to reduce the carnage.
“We have put in place speed control measures such as humps, soldiers and police traffic control units to man the bridge. We are ensuring that even if the truck loses control, it will not go over into the river,” Katumba Wamala added.
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