Govt should improve poor state of bridges
A pupil crosses a log on River Nyacara in Nebbi Municipality on Tuesday. The bridge is a major crossing for many pupils to various schools in the area. PHOTO | PATRICK OKABA
What you need to know:
The issue:
Poor state of bridges.
Our view:
We appeal to government to assess the needs of the different districts, release the funds on time and make timely follow-ups to ensure that there is value for money.
This week, transport between Kalungu and Gomba districts was paralysed for days after rising water levels in River Katonga washed away a bridge on the Villa-Maria-Kabulasoke road.
Following the Wednesday downpour, motorists from Kalungu connecting to Gomba resorted to using the Sembabule-Kisozi-Kifampa Road or Masaka-Kampala road, which make the journey longer by 120km and 95km respectively.
READ: Locals stranded after Kabarole-Kyenjojo bridge destroyed by floods
Last week, heavy rains in Tooro Sub-region destroyed bridges and roads, paralysing transport in the districts of Kyegegwa and Kitagwenda.
Last month, Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) diverted traffic on the Olwiyo-Pakwach road after floods cut it off, paralysing movement to Pakwach, Arua and other parts of West Nile.
In October, this publication reported that pupils and residents of Nebbi Municipality were risking their lives to cross River Nyacara on a log after the makeshift bridge was swept away by floods.
These are just a few examples of what has become a normal occurrence every rainy season. Uganda has two major rainy seasons running between March and May, then September and December. But due to climate change, the rains have become destructive and sometimes delay or come unexpectedly.
Sub-Saharan Africa particularly is bearing the brunt of the decades of destruction of the environment by the developed world. These heavy rains usually wreak havoc in the mountainous areas where mudslides claim lives and displace hundreds. And the roads and bridges are not spared.
From the examples cited, government has to do more if we are to adapt to climate change. Government says Shs134 billion was released to all districts to renovate and maintain roads. Works minister Gen Katumba Wamala says another Shs100 billion was released to Unra from the Road Fund to maintain damaged roads.
But this is not enough. Farmers, traders and travellers lose valuable time stuck on the roads whenever it rains. Whereas government releases money, this usually does not translate to timely construction and maintenance of the bridges.
In Kyegegwa, for example, the district chairperson said both Nabingoola-Kakabala road and Nyakabiiso bridge were still under construction. This is something that should have been planned earlier before the rainy season.
In Nebbi, the district officials complained that the budget of the municipal council for the current financial year is Shs400 million for road maintenance, which he said was meagre to meet the demands.
We appeal to government to assess the needs of the different districts, release the funds on time and make timely follow-ups to ensure that there is value for money.
Otherwise besides lives being at risk, Ugandans are losing time and money.
