In a public notice released yesterday, the Uganda National Roads Authority authorized buses to use katonga bridge along Kampala – Masaka highway.
In the notice, the authority said that following the continuous technical monitoring and recent assessment conducted for the old existing bridge at Katonga, it had been established that the bridge could withstand loading up to 3o tones.
As a result, the existing bridge could now be opened to all busses in addition to the light vehicles that were earlier permitted to use the section under the precautionary measures that are to be implemented immediately byte Contractor (china Communications Construction Company Ltd) during this time.
All permitted traffic were therefore urged to follow the signage in place and all the traffic guidelines established at a safe approach distance to the bridge.
Currently works on phase ll of the restoration works at katonga are on going and will enable full restoration of traffic at Katonga section before permanent works can commence.
River katonga bridge is a major gateway to key regional borders such as Tanzania and DR Congo.
On 11 may the bridge collapsed following divastating flash floods that swept through the area from river katonga.
Uganda National Roads Authority has assessed the damage and advised motorists from Kampala to use the route going through Mpigi – Kanoni – Maddu – Ssembabule to Masaka.
This also applied to those from Masaka to Kampala. However, people who commute between Mpigi and Masaka could not cross to either sides.