By Ronald Ocweo
Robert Bresson once said, “An old thing becomes new if you detach it from what usually surrounds it.” This is seemingly not the case with the old Karuma bridge whose attachment to its surroundings comes from its reminiscences.
The old Karuma bridge was built by the new government of Uganda after independence in 1963 with a narrow passage from both Kampala and Gulu routes. It should also be noted that the bridge has had one lane in each direction without any provisions for pedestrians or motorcycles and bicycles since its construction.
According to a Data Collection Survey on Infrastructure Development for the Northern Economic Corridor, the existing bridge is constructed at a valley between hills on both sides.
The survey further reported the existence of rock cuts on the right bank from the Gulu side approach road and on the left bank on the Kampala side approach road.
These rock cuts have not only narrowed the road structure in the area but also aided numerous accidents since the opposite sides from both Gulu and Kampala approaches are occupied by the fast-flowing River Nile thus rendering incidences of plunging into the river in case of control loss by over speeding vehicles and collisions from loaded trucks and buses.
In 2023, the Independent reported that a truck plunged into the river at Karuma Bridge. According to police, the driver of the car had hit the bridge rails before it veered into the river through the western side of the bridge in Nwoya District
Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Police Spokesperson also said that the driver of the truck that was heading to Kampala from Gulu lost control at Karuma Bridge and plunged into the river. He identified the occupants as Tumusiime, the driver, and his turn boy Geoffrey Lushata.
In 2000, the Vision reported that a bus belonging to Contour Bus Co. Plunged into the River Nile at the Karuma bridge leaving at least 10 passengers lifeless. The bus from Arua had left with 70 people on board, but 60 people were rescued in a joint operation by the UPDF and Karuma area residents.
There remains an endless list of accidents and casualties registered from Karuma Bridge and its surroundings paving the way for it to be known as a death trap along the Kampala – Gulu highway.
However, when it comes to matters of connectivity and transportation, the current bridge infrastructure may be outdated, inadequate in capacity, or structurally deficient having lasted for over five decades.
It is also important to note that UNRA, a government agency not only mandated to develop and maintain national roads but also contribute to the addressing of national transport concerns has in recent years done maintenance of the bridge in a bid to establish more strength and life to it.
However, Upgrading the infrastructure with a new bridge will not only mitigate potential accidents and ensure the reliability of transportation networks but also enhance connectivity between regions, facilitating smoother transportation of goods and people, which is crucial for economic growth and development.
The Karuma Bridge has long served as a main entry and exit between Northern Uganda and other regions. This has favoured easy accessibility to trade, education, and health services across the regions.
Therefore, prioritizing such an important infrastructure for regional economic development is a crucial subject to be long overdue.
In addition, a new bridge could incorporate modern environmental standards to minimize ecological impact on the surrounding area
It is important to note that the Karuma area houses a wildlife reserve with a series of animals seen close to the bridge including Monkeys, baboons, and elephants. This also places a risk in case these animals gather in large numbers over the bridge
Having been in existence since 1963, it is simple to say the construction of a new Karuma bridge has been long overdue yet the old bridge only deteriorates whenever heavy trucks and lorries cross over it.
Ocronald Pieces 
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