Drama ensued at Karuma Bridge this afternoon when dozens of Christians stormed the heavily protected area, demanding for better services from the Ugandan government.
Security personnel had allowed the prayer warriors, who included elderly women, men and young energetic citizens to camp at the bridge for some few minutes after members of Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, said they would only pray against road accidents.
Holding the Uganda flag, Apostle Benson Erem, a prayer minister who led the team, said that they gained access to the bridge after making their mission known to the security personnel there.
“We are cancelling the evil spirits of accident…No road accidents should continue in our country Uganda and even on Karuma Bridge. And we are declaring that a better bridge will be constructed in this area immediately this year,” he said.
“Let Ugandan leaders rise up and take care of their people and cause sustainable development in Uganda. This is my prayer, Oh, God of mercy, and we are praying because Uganda is a nation of revival, and I am a vision bearer for revival and we are taking revival to other nations.”
Karuma Bridge, which connects northern Uganda to the rest of the country, will be closed to all lorries, trailers and buses effective Monday, May 6, 2024 to pave the way for the rebuilding of cracks, in an exercise that will last three months.
In a statement issued yesterday the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) said during this period only passenger vehicles carrying up to 28 passengers will be allowed to use the busy bridge.
“UNRA wishes to inform road users that following the ongoing condition assessment of the Karuma Bridge, it has been established that some elements of the bridge structure (the concrete deck) have deteriorated particularly on the Kampala approach lane. The continued exposure of the bridge to the ever-increasing heavy traffic is likely to accelerate its deterioration and serviceability, if not addressed in time,” the statement reads in part.
Motorists from Kampala heading to Gulu and West Nile are advised to use Luwero – Kafu – Masindi – Paraa (Murchison Falls National Park) to connect to Pakwach or Gulu via Olwiyo and vice versa for motorists from Gulu and West Nile.
Meanwhile, those traveling to Lira City can also use Iganga – Nakalama – Tirinyi – Pallisa – Kumi – Soroti – Lira and vice versa.
UNRA also announced that the government is currently fast-tracking the process to secure funding for the construction of a new bridge at Karuma as a long-term solution.
