STELLA T
Residents of Buyanja Sub County in Rukungiri District are expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of Kafunjo Bridge along River Kafunjo, which connects their sub-county to the Southern Division in Rukungiri Municipality.
The residents, including bodaboda riders, farmers, and traders, report that the damaged bridge has severely impacted the transportation of goods to Rukungiri town. They face difficulties crossing the bridge, especially during the rainy season.
The bridge, which is narrow, cannot accommodate two cars or bodabodas simultaneously, causing inconvenience for those transporting goods. In addition, the broken rail guards and pipes present safety hazards to users.
Bodaboda riders from Buyanja Sub-county have expressed concerns over the safety of the bridge, as they risk falling into the river. They highlight that the bridge has been in poor condition for a long time and that despite numerous complaints to the relevant authorities, no action has been taken. They also blame the engineers who worked on the bridge for designing it too narrowly.
As a result, bodaboda riders have been forced to use the Buyanja road to access Rukungiri town, which they claim is more expensive and time-consuming.
Albert Rwamuugata, the district councilor for Buyanja Sub-county, spoke with our reporter about the state of the bridge. He stated that as leaders, they have raised their concerns with the relevant authorities, but they have not received a response. He asked residents to be patient, as the authorities are planning to address the issue and begin rehabilitating some of the roads. He explained that the authorities were initially concerned about the rainy season, which could potentially damage any repairs. However, they are hopeful that the situation will improve now that the rains are almost over.
Dennis Ngabirano, the LCIII chairperson of the Southern Division, explained that locals are paying for transportation across the river, as crossing is often impossible after heavy rains. He noted that the water levels rise significantly, making it difficult to transport people or goods across the river. Ngabirano added that they have repeatedly informed the municipality leadership about the hardships residents are facing, but no action has been taken. He also urged residents to remain patient while the authorities work to address the issue.
Engineer Sulait Niwamanya, the Rukungiri municipal engineer, assured that residents’ concerns have been acknowledged and that repairs on the bridge are forthcoming. He explained that they were initially concerned about constructing the bridge during the rainy season, as the rain could wash away the work. However, now that the rains are almost over, they are planning to begin repairs soon.
