UGANDA, Mbarara | Real Muloodi News | Residents and leaders of Mbarara City South Division are expressing growing concern over the deteriorating condition of bridges in the area, citing safety risks and economic setbacks.
The poor state of these bridges, including Kanyeyite, Taso Village Bridge, and Katete Main Bridge, has prompted calls for urgent action from relevant authorities.
Mr. Steven Malish, a student at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), highlighted the significance of Taso Village Bridge for university students seeking shorter routes to campus.
However, he expressed concerns about the bridge’s safety, especially during the rainy season.
“Sometimes when the river fills to the brim, we cannot cross the bridge, and recently, it collapsed,” he stated, urging government intervention.
Residents like Mr Rashid Monday of Kakoba-Nyakaizi echoed these sentiments, emphasising the risks posed by the wooden Karugangama Bridge and lamenting tragic accidents that have occurred due to the poor state of Mbarara City bridges.
“All the bridges in our town are in a poor state,” he said, underscoring the urgency of addressing the situation.
Mr Muhammed Byansi, a councillor of Mbarara City South A, expressed concern about Taso Village Bridge’s deteriorated state, particularly its impact on university students’ safety.
He called for heavy trucks to seek alternative routes to prevent further damage to the bridges and potential accidents.
Acknowledging the financial constraints faced by the Mbarara City Council, Mr. Assay Abireebe, the city town clerk, emphasised the central government’s responsibility in fixing the bridges.
He cited significant cost estimates for bridge repairs, ranging from Shs18b to Shs20b, as beyond the city’s financial capacity.
Despite engagements with the Ministry of Works and Transport, Mbarara City Deputy Mayor, Ms Prisca Murongo, expressed frustration over the lack of tangible results in addressing the bridge issues.
She highlighted the adverse impact of bridge deterioration on residents’ daily activities, particularly during the rainy season.
Ms Susan Kataike, head of communications at the Ministry of Works and Transport, attributed the delay in bridge repairs to the non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. She urged leaders to advocate for the release of funds to expedite necessary infrastructure repairs.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Finance Ministry permanent secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, were unsuccessful.
However, Ms. Kataike reiterated the ministry’s commitment to implementing construction works once funds are disbursed.
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