Uganda opens Africa’s 5th largest bridge

Uganda has opened Africa’s 5th largest bridge in the eastern part of the country, Jinja.

The 525 meters long cable-stayed bridge was mostly funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Uganda’s government.

The bridge, which has been christened “Source of the Nile bridge”, cost US$112 million.

The Japanese government financed 80% of the project via a loan of US$100 million at an annual interest rate of 0.01%, repayable in 10 years and extendable to 40 years.

The new bridge is expected to reduce the heavy traffic that passes through the Nalubaale Bridge which was built 64 years ago.

According to Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni the bridge which is built across the Victoria Nile; “…will last for 120 years.”

The President also explained that 67% of the technical staff were Ugandan engineers and the bridge was completed in four years.

Japan’s State Foreign Affairs Minister, Masahisa Sato was also at the opening. He and President Museveni cut the tape to open the Source of the Nile bridge. He hinted of future projects with Kenya in a tweet; “…In the future, logistics with Kenya will become even more active.”