Uganda, May 7 -- The diversion of heavy-duty vehicles from the insecure Karuma Bridge has significantly cut down the volume of traffic over the bridge and neighbouring towns.

The national roads agency, Unra, announced the partial shutdown of the arterial bridge to heavy traffic, beginning yesterday, to pave the way for its reconstruction.

Yesterday, the police and sister security agencies swung into action to enforce directives to divert heavy-duty traffic. Karuma Bridge is a principal doorway that connects northern Uganda, northeastern DR Congo, and South Sudan to the rest of the world.

Police in Karuma Town Council estimate that more than 300 heavy-duty automobiles, including buses, lorries, and trailers, drive over the 61-year-old f...