Uganda has signed the civil works contract for the construction of a new Karuma Bridge along the Kampala-Gulu Highway, moving the long-awaited project closer to implementation.
Officials from Uganda and Japan signed the contract in Japan on Friday, July 10, 2026. The Government of Japan is financing the project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Japanese construction company Zenitaka Corporation will undertake the works.
“Uganda has signed the Civil Works Contract for the construction of Karuma Bridge, along the Kampala-Gulu Highway. The works will be implemented by a Japanese firm, Zenitaka Corporation,” the Ministry of Works and Transport announced.
Commissioner for National Roads Eng. Isaac Wani represented the Acting Permanent Secretary at the signing ceremony.
Wani said the project would strengthen one of Uganda’s busiest transport routes.
The Kampala-Gulu Highway connects central Uganda to the northern region and neighbouring South Sudan. Government expects the new bridge to improve road safety, connectivity, trade and regional integration.
Ugandan officials at the ceremony included Ambassador to Japan Tophace Kaahwa and Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha.
Minister Counsellor at Uganda’s Embassy in Japan Nurh Byarufu and Acting Head of Commercial Law Elizabeth Zungu Akimpye also attended.
New bridge to replace 1963 structure
The new crossing will replace the existing Karuma Bridge, which was constructed in 1963.
The 63-year-old structure has undergone several repairs because of structural concerns and rising traffic volumes.
Structural defects have also forced authorities to close the bridge on several occasions in recent months. The closures disrupted passenger travel and the movement of goods between central and northern Uganda.
According to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the new crossing will be a 240-metre elevated cable-stayed bridge.
Engineers will construct it about 12 metres above the existing bridge.
The design will remove the sharp bends found on the current crossing. It will also improve traffic flow and support heavier traffic volumes.
Officials estimate that the new bridge will have a design life of about 120 years.
Japan provides Shs121 billion financing
The contract signing follows a financing agreement that Uganda and Japan concluded in March 2026.
Under the agreement, Japan committed about 4.939 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately Shs121 billion, towards the project.
Construction is expected to begin after a groundbreaking ceremony planned for August 2026. Government estimates that the main construction works will take between three and four years.
Authorities do not plan to demolish the current Karuma Bridge after completing the new structure.
Instead, the old bridge will provide an alternative crossing for light vehicles and motorcycles. The new bridge will handle most passenger and regional freight traffic.
The Karuma crossing remains a major gateway between central and northern Uganda. Government expects the new bridge to reduce delays, improve road safety and strengthen regional trade.