Motorists traveling between Kampala and Gulu can now use a key section of the Karuma-Kamdini road following a partial reopening announced by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) on Monday, December 1, 2025. The highway had been closed for almost a month after heavy rains caused an embankment collapse.

The incident, which occurred on November 2, affected the road about 1 km from the Karuma-Olwiyo/Pakwach junction. Initially, traffic was limited to a single lane, with heavy trucks and trailers rerouted via the Karuma-Pakwach detour through Olwiyo Trading Centre and Anaka, a diversion that added roughly 113 km to journeys. Continued rainfall worsened the damage, prompting the ministry to declare the section unsafe for all vehicles by November 16, enforcing a full closure while emergency repairs were carried out.

The closure caused significant disruption for commuters and businesses in northern Uganda. A routine 40-minute stretch became a several-hour ordeal, affecting passenger transport and delaying agricultural and commercial shipments.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday evening, the Ministry of Works and Transport said that “construction of the temporary detour at the affected section along the Karuma—Kamdini Road is now complete”.

According to the ministry, beginning today Monday 01st December 2025, light-traffic vehicles including buses, medium trucks, vans and saloon cars will be allowed to safely cross the section using the newly completed detour. Heavy trucks and trailers are still required to use the Karuma–Olwiyo–Anaka route in both directions until further notice.

The ministry also urged motorists to proceed with caution and follow all traffic management instructions including the 30Km/hr speed limit along the detour, while restoration work on the main carriageway continues.