Mugabe Robert
Residents of Katagata Parish in Mayanga Sub County, Mitooma District, staged a protest on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, due to the breakdown of the Munyanyangi bridge. This bridge is crucial as it connects them to Mayanga Parish, where vital government institutions are located.
The Munyanyangi bridge, situated at a river separating Mayanga and Katagata Parishes near Mayanga Sub County, is part of the main road from Kabira Sub County and Muyanga Sub County to Mutara Sub County in Mitooma District, maintained by the sub-county.
Mayanga Parish houses the Sub County headquarters, Police post, Health Center 3, Seed Secondary School, and the nearest government Primary School. However, residents of Katagata and Rwanja Parishes find themselves cut off since the bridge collapsed.
According to residents, the bridge was washed away by water last month, causing a standstill in transportation. When they approached Sub County authorities, they were advised to engage in communal work and repair it with poles.
Kansiime Ribina, a resident of Itara Cell, Katagata Parish, expressed concern over the difficulties women face in accessing Mayanga Health Center 3 for medical services, the only health facility in the area. Despite their efforts to communicate these challenges to Sub County authorities, no action has been taken.
Elias Kiraka, a local businessperson, highlighted the negative impact on the trading relationship between Mitooma and Rukungiri Districts, urging the government to respond effectively to restore business activities.
Byaruhanga Innocent, another resident of Katagata Parish, emphasized the urgency of addressing the Munyanyangi bridge situation, especially for the safety of children and pregnant mothers.
Muhwezi Robert, the Parish Chief of Katagata, reported that residents are stranded with agricultural produce, unable to access markets, and cut off from public services.
Arthur Kazoora, a politician in the constituency, criticized the lack of prioritization for bridges by local leadership. He claimed to have renovated other bridges and called on stakeholders to prepare Bills of Quantities and address the issue under the Kazoora foundation if the authorities fail to act within three months.
Efforts to obtain comments from Sub County leadership were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls from known contacts by press time.
This incident unfolded amid concerns raised by the Minister for Finance, Hon Matia Kassaijja, regarding the misuse of government funds and the high level of corruption in the country.
