Katonga bridge reopens today following completion of permanent works

Drivers who have spent months navigating restricted access across the Katonga River along the Kampala–Masaka highway in Mpigi District can now breathe a sigh of relief following the completion of the new Katonga Bridge.

The newly constructed permanent bridge is scheduled to be officially commissioned today, Saturday, October 17, 2026, by the Minister for Transport, Mr. Fred Byamukama, marking its full return to public service.

In an official press statement, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, SP Michael Kananura, appealed to motorists to exercise patience and strictly adhere to directives from traffic officers deployed along the route.
SP Kananura indicated that traffic at the bridge will be temporarily halted for approximately 20 minutes between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM to facilitate the commissioning ceremony.

"Avoid improper overtaking or attempting to bypass other vehicles. Maintain lane discipline and cooperate with the officers to ensure smooth traffic flow," SP Kananura advised.
He further urged all road users to remain calm and cooperative throughout the event.
"Your patience and compliance will help ensure everyone's safety and minimize traffic congestion," SP Kananura added.
The completion of the permanent structure brings to an end a prolonged period of travel disruptions along one of the country’s primary transport arteries. On May 11, 2023, severe flash floods damaged the original concrete bridge, forcing emergency closures and necessitating temporary pedestrian crossings.

Although light passenger vehicles—such as saloon cars, commuter taxis, and eventually buses—were later permitted to use a less-damaged section of the old structure, heavy cargo vehicles were diverted onto an alternative route. Trailers and fuel tankers were forced to detour through Mpigi, Gomba, Sembabule, and Bukomansimbi to reach Masaka—a detour that added over 50 kilometers to the journey, significantly increasing fuel costs and travel time.
In June 2023, the government contracted China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) to build a temporary steel bridge to restore cross-river traffic. That parallel temporary steel crossing was opened to all vehicular traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, in December 2023.

Full-scale construction on the permanent, raised pre-stressed concrete bridge officially commenced in October 2024 following comprehensive hydrological and meteorological assessments of the River Katonga basin.
The Kampala–Masaka highway ranks among Uganda's busiest corridors, carrying an estimated average daily traffic volume of nearly 30,000 vehicles. Beyond serving regional commerce within South-Western Uganda, the highway serves as an international transit route connecting Uganda to Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.