Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has reopened Katonga Bridge along the Kampala-Masaka highway to buses.
UNRA says the development follows continuous technical monitoring and recent assessment conducted for the old existing Bridge at Katonga, establishing that the bridge can withstand loading up to 30 tonnes.
“As a result, the existing bridge has now been opened to all buses in addition to the lightly vehicles that were earlier permitted to use the section under the precautionary measures that are yo be implemented immediately by the contractor,” said UNRA in a statement.
Consequently, all the permitted traffic has been urged to use the signage in place, and all the traffic guidelines established at a safe approach distance to the bridge.
The bridge was washed away by heavy rains in May this year, prompting police and UNRA to stop its use for safety reasons. An alternative route via Ssembabule was secured. However, this was longer, expensive, and tiring to some users.
In June, UNRA opened the bridge for use for light traffic, which includes motorbikes, saloon cars, SUVs, taxis, vans, and 28 seaters, also known as coasters.