The closure of the Kamdini–Karuma stretch of the Gulu–Kamdini–Karuma highway has left many road users counting losses after worsening damage to a bridge along the Oyam–Nwoya border. The structure had initially developed an embankment failure two weeks ago, restricting passage to light vehicles. Persistent heavy rainfall has since expanded the damage, consuming over half of the carriageway and making the route unsafe for any traffic.

On Sunday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Bageya Waiswa, cautioned motorists to keep away from the area, noting that the condition of the bridge had deteriorated further. He recommended that travelers instead take the diversion at the Karuma–Pakwach junction (URA checkpoint), continue to Olwiyo Trading Centre, roughly 51 kilometers from Karuma then turn toward Anaka and proceed to Gulu.

According to Bageya, the damaged section has been sealed off for public protection as the ministry organizes emergency restoration efforts. He did not, however, specify when repair work would commence. The sudden shutdown has upset drivers accustomed to the route, many of whom were caught off guard. Peter Agwe, who plies the Kigumba–Bweyale–Kamdini route, said the decision was abrupt, leaving early-morning motorists stranded and disrupting their schedules.

Agwe warned that the absence of advance notice posed risks to road users. “It could cause us some accident of not telling drivers that tomorrow we are closing. They didn't inform us, they decided and closed without informing anyone,” he said.

He explained that he had planned to transport passengers from Lira to Bweyale and Kigumba but could not proceed after travelers declined to pay an additional 10,000 Shillings on the usual 20,000-Shillings fare required to cover the much longer diversion.

Bernard Anyeko Mashanga, a driver and spokesperson for the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA) Northern Region, agreed that the damaged road must be repaired but noted that the detour will raise fuel expenditures and extend travel times.

Anyeko encouraged drivers heading to Kampala to consider the Lira–Apac–Rwekunye route using the ferry rather than passing through Gulu City. He estimated that this option would increase transport charges from 30,000 to at least 40,000 Shillings. He stressed that the closed section is as important to the Lango and Acholi sub-regions as the main Karuma Bridge.

He urged the government to complete repairs before the holiday season. “I want that now that the road is closed, it should take not more than one month. At least by Christmas time that bridge should have been worked on so that we have normal operation,” he said.

The bridge’s embankment failure, located about one kilometer from the Karuma–Olwiyo/Pakwach junction near the URA checkpoint was initially detected earlier this month. At the time, the Ministry of Works and Transport introduced a temporary diversion for heavy trucks traveling to Gulu to minimize further deterioration while preparing for emergency interventions.