UGANDA · TRAVEL
Key Facts
- —The country Landlocked East African state; Bwindi is its main gorilla trekking park.
- —What happened The River Mucha Bridge in Kisoro District gave way, closing the crossing.
- —Tourism impact The direct road to the Rushaga and Nkuringo gorilla sectors is cut.
- —The detour A dirt diversion through Rubuguri adds 30 to 45 minutes.
- —US advisory The State Department rates Uganda at Level 4, “Do not travel.”
- —Still open No repair date, cost or official cause has been announced.
A bridge failure in southwestern Uganda has cut the direct road from Kisoro town to two of Bwindi’s four gorilla trekking sectors.
The River Mucha Bridge in Kisoro District, in Uganda’s far southwest, has collapsed and the crossing is impassable. Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport announced the closure in a public notice on Saturday, 10 October.
The bridge carries the main road from Kisoro town to the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Those sectors are starting points for mountain gorilla treks, which are popular with foreign visitors, including Americans.
What the Ministry of Works Said
The Ministry of Works and Transport is the government department responsible for Uganda’s national roads and bridges. In its notice on X, it said: “River Mucha Bridge has collapsed and rendered the crossing impassable.”
Daily Monitor, a Kampala newspaper, reported that the ministry had sent engineers to the site. “Our technical team has embarked on an emergency intervention to address the situation,” the notice said.
Drivers were directed to a diversion running Kisoro, Karengyere, Nyanamo, Rubuguri, Rushaga and Nkuringo. The ministry described it as a motorable murram road, meaning unpaved gravel and earth, adding about 30 to 45 minutes.
“Motorists are urged to drive cautiously, especially during rainy conditions, and set off early to minimise delays,” the ministry said. It gave no date for reopening the bridge.
Why the River Mucha Bridge Matters for Gorilla Trekking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the last homes of the endangered mountain gorilla.
The park is divided into four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Rushaga and Nkuringo sit in the south, and many visitors reach them from hotels and lodges in Kisoro town.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority, the state agency that runs the country’s national parks, issued its own travel advisory on the temporary closure. It pointed travellers to the same diversion and urged caution in rainy weather, Nile Post, a Ugandan news site, reported.
The authority advised tourists to leave Kisoro early so they reach their trekking briefings on time.
Tour operators told Nile Post that some tour vehicles stayed parked at hotels and campsites while plans were adjusted. Operators fear a long closure could hurt guides, drivers, lodges and craft sellers who depend on visitors.
What Residents and Local Leaders Say
According to Nile Post, the bridge gave way while a Fuso truck loaded with charcoal was crossing. The report did not mention any injuries.
Residents told the outlet the bridge had cracked before it failed. They suspect heavy trucks carrying sand and murram from Bukimbiri to Kisoro weakened it, but no official cause has been given.
Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, the Woman MP for Kisoro and State Minister for Veterans Affairs, said she had contacted the ministry. “I have engaged the Ministry of Works to intervene and have the bridge fixed,” she told Nile Post.
Some motorcycle taxi riders and pedestrians were reported to be risking the river crossing on foot or by bike. Officials have not said whether a temporary crossing for pedestrians is planned.
What It Means for US Readers
Americans with gorilla permits for Rushaga or Nkuringo should expect a longer drive from Kisoro and an earlier start. Travellers should ask their tour operator or lodge to confirm the route and pickup time.
The US State Department’s advisory for Uganda, last reissued on Thursday, 4 June 2026, stands at Level 4, “Do not travel.” It cites crime, health, terrorism and unrest, and warns that national parks visited by tourists have been targeted.
The advisory does not name Bwindi. Still, US travellers who go anyway should check their travel insurance, because some policies limit cover for trips against official advice.
Tour companies in the United States that sell Uganda packages may need to adjust itineraries for southern Bwindi. Travellers booked through them should ask whether transfer times have changed.
What Is Not Known
The exact day and time of the collapse have not been published. Neither the ministry nor the wildlife authority has given a repair timeline or a cost estimate.
The cause has not been officially established, and the residents’ account of overloaded trucks is unconfirmed. It is also not known how many tourists have changed or cancelled treks, or whether permits will be rescheduled.
What Comes Next
Ministry engineers are carrying out what it calls an emergency intervention, with a longer-term repair to follow. The diversion through Rubuguri remains the official route until the crossing reopens.
The closure does not shut Bwindi or its gorilla treks. Buhoma and Ruhija, the park’s other two sectors, are reached by other roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the River Mucha Bridge?
It is in Kisoro District in southwestern Uganda. It carries the road from Kisoro town towards the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Are gorilla treks in Bwindi cancelled?
No cancellation has been announced. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has pointed travellers to a diversion and advised them to leave Kisoro early.
How long is the detour?
The ministry says the unpaved diversion through Karengyere, Nyanamo and Rubuguri adds about 30 to 45 minutes. It urges extra care in rainy weather.
When will the bridge reopen?
No date has been given. The Ministry of Works and Transport says its engineers have started emergency work at the site.
What does the US government say about travel to Uganda?
The State Department advisory for Uganda is at Level 4, its highest level, citing crime, health, terrorism and unrest. It does not mention Bwindi by name.
Sources: Ministry of Works and Transport, public notice on X, as published by Daily Monitor; Uganda Wildlife Authority advisory, as reported by Nile Post; US Department of State, Uganda Travel Advisory (all accessed 11 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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