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Kayunga leaders, minister root for Isimba Bridge as tourism site
A section of the almost completed Isimba bridge. PHOTO | FRED MUZAALE
Kayunga District leaders and Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) officials have asked government to consider making Isimba Bridge, which is under construction on River Nile, one of the country’s key tourism sites.
The construction of Isimba Bridge, which connects the districts of Kayunga and Kamuli, is expected to be completed by December, according to the assistant project manager, Mr Yang Yi.
The project is being undertaken by China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE), the same company that constructed the 183 MW Isimba dam.
The head of bridges and structures construction at Unra, Mr Lawrence Pario, on Tuesday said since the bridge has two sections, both joined by an island, this is one of the unique features that will make the bridge attractive to tourists.
“The Kova Island, which joins the two sections of the bridge, would be restored into a forest and habitat for wild animals such as monkeys, baboons, water birds and others,” Mr Pario noted.
He explained that Kova Island was hitherto a habitat for all sorts of wild animals and birds, but due to the construction of the bridge, the trees and vegetation were cleared.
Mr Pario said tourists would visit the site and besides enjoying the cool breeze from River Nile, they would enjoy the wildlife.
Mr Yasin Kayemba, the Unra project engineer, says the project comprises two bridges with one measuring 435 metres and the other 475 metres, both linked by a road on Kova Island.
Kayunga District chairperson Tom Sserwanga said the district would pass a resolution to have the site turned into a tourism site.
The resolution, he added, would be forwarded to relevant authorities.
“We think this site can be a wonderful stopover for travellers and tourists, which can be a source of revenue for the district,” Mr Sserwanga said.
“This is the second box girder bridge in Uganda with the first one being on Entebbe Express highway. This makes its architectural design an attraction site for people,” Mr Kayemba said.
Commenting on the proposal, the State Minister for Tourism, Mr Godfrey Kiwanda Ssuubi, said: “You know almost everything is tourism, right from roads, industries, plants and others.”
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Executive Director, Ms Lilly Ajarova, said: “The proposal is good, but we shall look at its (bridge) architectural design, does it give people an experience, is it unique, does it have a story behind it.”
