Another suspended foot bridge commissioned in Mbale

MBALE: The State Minister for Works, Gen Katumba Wamala on Friday commissioned a 92-metre suspended foot bridge in Mbale District.

Gen Katumba said during the function that took place at Luboolo village in Bukiyende Sub County that the construction of the bridge worth Shs25m connecting Mbale and Bududa districts, was in line with the NRM government commitment of infrastructure development.

“This government is committed to improving transport and enable residents to access services like education, health and others social amenities like markets in these mountainous areas,” he said.

Mr Katumba said that before the construction of the bridge, the situation in the area was dire because several residents reportedly died while attempting to cross the River Passe on makeshift bridges.

The bridge was constructed by Bridges to Prosperity; a US-based non-government organisation in partnership with the government.

In December last year, another 90-metre bridge was commissioned in Bukonde Sub-County to help improve residents’ access to services like education, health and other social amenities in the neighbouring Sub Counties.

The minister said the government has so far constructed 3 suspended cable foot bridges in Uganda, all of them in Bugisu sub-region but the one in Bukalisa Sub Country in Bududa District has not been commissioned yet.

“This is aimed at providing reliable transport infrastructure especially in hard to reach areas,” he said.

Gen Katumba added that suspended bridges are safe to use compared to the locally-made bridges.

“With improved infrastructure, there will be enhanced access to markets, health centres, schools and other social amenities, which will contribute to economic development,” he said.

The programme manager Bridge for prosperity, Ms Erica Brandt, said that locals in the area have been facing enormous challenges-especially in terms of transport.

“Most communities face accessibility challenges especially during the rainy season because locally made bridges are occasionally washed away but this suspended bridge cannot be damaged by rain. This type of bridge will help locals to transport their goods to markets and access social services like education,” she said.

The Bududa LC5 chairman, Mr Wilson Watira, commended the government for the positive intervention to help the locals.

“The state of the roads in this region is in deplorable state and worse in rural areas. We welcome this and ask for more,” he said.

The LC111 chairperson, Bukibokolo Sub-County, Mr Robert Wanombera, said residents have been using makeshift bridges to cross over to the neighbouring sub-counties.

“They have been going through a lot of misery because when a makeshift bridge is washed away, their children stay at home until another is put in place,” he said.