Nebbi locals stuck after bridge collapses
Risky. Residents cross Namthin River after floods washed away the bridge at the weekend. PHOTO BY PATRICK OKABA
Nebbi. At least 5,000 residents of Jupumbanya Village in Nebbi Sub-county, Nebbi District, are stranded after the bridge that links them to the municipal council collapsed following a downpour.
Namthin bridge was swept away by floods at the weekend, blocking residents from accessing social services such as schools, markets and hospitals.
Residents have resorted to crossing through the flooded River Namthin, exposing themselves to drowning and hygiene-related diseases.
Some youth have taken advantage of the situation by charging residents Shs1,500 to carry them across the bridge.
One of the residents, Ms Janet Thorach, said the bridge was the only shortcut to Nebbi hospital and secondary schools.
The municipal engineer, Mr Joseph Olore, said the wooden decker at the bridge was constructed by the community when the municipal council was still at the level of a town council.
He said the municipal lacks funds to construct a better bridge.
