Broken bridge paralyses Elgon, Karamoja districts
A truck uses the closed bridge on Bulambuli-Nakapiripirit road. The bridge was closed in 2007 in order to be rebuilt but has never been reconstructed. PHOTO BY DAVID MAFABI
What you need to know:
Food shortage. Leaders say the collapse of the bridge could worsen the food situation in Karamoja sub-region since its main producers in Mt Elgon area are stuck.
BULAMBULI. Business has been paralysed in Elgon and Karamoja sub-regions following the collapse of the bridge at Cheptui on Bulambuli-Nakapiripirit road last month.
The LC3 chairperson for Bwikonge in Bulambuli District, Mr Paul Kimamati, said the main bridge collapsed in 2007 and was closed by then minister of Works, Mr John Nasasira (now ICT minister), to pave way for a new bridge to be built.
“Traffic was diverted to the makeshift bridge as the main bridge on the road was closed to pave way for reconstruction in 2007. To date, it has never been worked on,”Mr Kimamati said. “Now that the diversion bridge has also collapsed, we are stuck, there is nowhere vehicles, people are going to pass,” he added.
Traders and travellers heading to Nakapiripirit, Kween, Bukwo, Amudat, Moroto, Kotido and Napak districts have been using the bridge.
According to the LC5 chairperson, Mr Simon Wananzofu, government did not respond in time to build the main bridge.
“The collapse of this bridge was bound to happen because it wasn’t fit to cater for heavy trucks carrying limestone and marble besides the heavy trucks. This bridge serves more than 500,000 people,” Mr Wananzofu said on Friday.
He said since Mt Elgon sub-region is the food basket for Karamoja, the collapse of the bridge would worsen the situation in the already famine-stricken area.
The business community has accused the Ministry of Works of not doing enough to help them.
Some traders have now resorted to using the closed bridge.
However, when contacted, the spokesperson of the Works ministry, Ms Sarah Kataike, said the bridges would be reconstructed when the road is being built.
Government is currently tarmacking the Moroto-Nakapiripirit road.
