One dead as floods damage bridge on River Ssezibwa
Travellers stranded as a grader is being used to unblock water channels under Ssezibwa bridge. Photo by Fred Muzaale
MUKONO- One person has died and two others are unaccounted for after being swept by floods at River Ssezibwa at Kyabazaala Village, Mukono District.
The officer in-charge of Kateete Police Post , Kasawo Sub-county, Mr Joseph Muliika identified the deceased as Peter Wabwire, 38, a resident of Kyabazaala village.
He said that the two people whose whereabouts are still unknown, since Sunday, include a man and woman.
“Police divers as well as local fishermen are still searching for the missing people,” he said.
Mr Muliika said that on the fateful day, Wabwire who was riding on a motorcycle to Kabimbiri trading centre, ignored police warning to travellers not to use the section where a bridge had been swept by water.
He said marine police retrieved Wabwire’s body but his motorcycle is still missing.
Due to the current torrential rains, River Ssezibwa bust its banks and swept away a bridge on a major road that connects Mukono and Kayunga districts last week.
Travellers who have been using the route now connect through a longer route via Kayunga Town to Mukono-Kayunga highway.
People who live near the river are at risk because floods have started submerging their houses and crops.
Last week, Ms Allen Kagina, the executive director of Uganda National Roads Authority, inspected the damaged sections of the road as well as Ssezibwa Bridge on the Kayunga-Mukono highway.
Machinery was used to unblock water channels under the bridge.
