NELSON K
States of bridges worsen in Kacereere Town Council as locals raise alarms expressing fear and panic following many mortality records that have occurred at bridges especially in Nyarukoro trading center.
Residents of Kacereere T/C especially those in Nyamatembe ward and those associated with Nyarukoro trading center are raising concerns over the deteriorating states of three vital bridges in the area, which they say have hindered trade and economic development and their poor states have been harmful to human lives as four deaths have occurred in the last four years.
Speaking with Boona FM, the Nyamatembe cell LC1 chairperson who leads the area where all these bridges are found, together with Mr. Kaborooga Appolo, a concerned resident, have come to express their concern towards the deteriorating state of the three bridges along Nyarukoro River, which have been a major barrier in hindering economic development, especially trade. They have said that the deteriorating state of the bridges has blocked vehicles from crossing to Nyarukoro trading center to ease trade and commerce, as well as accessing other essential services.
They have added that despite hindering trade and transport, the bridges have been harmful to human lives as a huge population must attempt to use them while reaching out for some services in Nyarukoro trading center and eventually, at least 4 deaths have occurred at the three spots within a period of 3–4 years.
Area local leaders and residents are saying that they have been collecting some funds to buy materials to repair the bridges and using joint communal works amongst the cells to temporarily repair the bridges, but unfortunately the river has expanded widely making their efforts meaningless as heavy storms and floods easily wash away everything they repair every year. According to them, they have felt tired and exhausted, calling for support from the district leadership and their elected upper leaders to support them to solve the longstanding challenge.
The Nyarukoro Town Council Mayor, Mr. Eliab Mugambagye, has also confirmed the hazardous impacts that have been occurring at Nyarukoro bridges annually, reporting the deaths of residents and loss of business properties at the river. However, he has expressed fear and panic about the rapid expansion of the river, wondering about the situation in the next 50 years in the future. However, he expressed hopes of constructing those deteriorated bridges in the dry season in May following the pledge of Rubanda West County MP elect Hon. Bruce Baraba Kabaasa, who openly promised to donate all the materials needed such as cement, iron bars, and more.
Whereas residents were tasked to offer human labor through communal works.
He added that as a newly formulated town council, they are still facing a couple of challenges with difficulty financing solutions since they have never received any road fund from the government.
