Heavy rains cut off Kampala–Masaka highway at Katonga bridge

Traffic on the Kampala–Masaka highway was halted overnight after the Katonga River burst its banks and water rose above the bridge deck.

Police at the scene said a queue of trucks and buses stretched for more than two kilometres on the Mpigi side by midnight.

A Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) engineer said the bridge would stay closed until a team could inspect its foundations in daylight.

Motorists heading to Masaka and the south-west have been told to use the Mityana–Sembabule route, which adds about two hours to the journey.

Traders count the cost

Fish and matooke traders who use the highway to reach Kampala markets said they expected to lose a day of sales.

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has forecast more heavy rain across the Lake Victoria basin until the end of the week.