Derrick A
Residents of Ibanda and Kayanga parishes in Nyarushanje Sub-County, Rukungiri district, are urgently appealing to the government for the repair of a bridge that has been broken for approximately two years.
Following the destruction of the bridge, temporary measures were taken by well-wishers who constructed a makeshift bridge using tree offcuts to facilitate transportation in the area while awaiting government intervention. However, despite these efforts, the bridge remains in a deteriorating condition.
Residents are concerned about the safety risks posed by the current makeshift bridge, particularly during the rainy seasons, which endanger the lives of both residents and school pupils. They are urging their leaders to advocate for the construction of a proper bridge to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products to the market.
Shaban Karusigarira and Kenneth Mwine Rutasheka, residents of the area, emphasized the urgency of the situation and called on the government to expedite the intervention process.
Mathias Mwesigwa Rwabugumi, the District Councilor for Nyarushanje Sub-County, explained that while the bridge is under the jurisdiction of the sub-county, insufficient funds have hindered repair efforts. The district is currently lobbying for culverts from the Ministry of Works and Transport to address various bridge damages caused by recent heavy rains.
Rwabugumi advised motorists, especially those with heavy-loaded vehicles, to use alternative routes such as the Kayanga-Kisizi road temporarily to avoid risking their lives on the deteriorating bridge.
He assured residents that their concerns have been taken up by relevant authorities, emphasizing the need for a sturdy bridge to ensure the smooth flow of water across the river.
