Namisindwa residents bitter as Shs80mln bridges collapse two weeks after completion
He attributed the recurring problem to weak supervision and corruption, noting that concerns had previously been raised but were politicized.
Namisindwa: Residents of Bukiabi and Bukokho sub-counties in Namisindwa District have expressed anger toward district authorities after two recently repaired bridges collapsed barely two weeks after completion.
The district allocated UGX 35 million for the repair of Khabutanyi Bridge along the Bukhayaki–Bukiabi road and another UGX 40 million for Mukhoti Bridge along the Bumbo–Soono road. The repairs were carried out just one week before the elections, but both bridges reportedly broke down two weeks after the polls.
Ronald Simiyu, a resident of Bukiabi, said Khabutanyi Bridge had remained in a damaged state for over two years and was only repaired as elections approached. He believes the timing points to poor workmanship and possible mismanagement of public funds. He called on government agencies to ensure value for money.
Boniface Kibingeyi, a shopkeeper in Bukhayaki Trading Centre, said the damaged bridge has disrupted business by blocking customers from accessing his shop and those of his colleagues. He appealed to the district authorities for an urgent response.
Baraza John, a resident of Soono Parish in Bukokho Sub-county, expressed shock that Mukhoti also known as namakhanga Bridge has now been repaired three times within nine months, yet continues to collapse. He emphasized the need for accountability to guarantee value for money.
Masayi Peter, Chairperson of the Works and Technical Services Committee, explained that the emergency repairs were funded under a supplementary budget approved on 21st December 2025 following public outcry.
According to him, UGX 35 million was allocated to Khabutanyi Bridge, UGX 35 million to Namakanga Bridge in Soono, Bukokho Sub-county both of which have since been washed away, UGX 75 million to Laaso Bridge, which has undergone more substantial work, and UGX 25 million to Namunyiri Bridge, where work has not yet commenced.
He attributed the recurring problem to weak supervision and corruption, noting that concerns had previously been raised but were politicized. He called for a thorough probe to ensure value for money, stressing that road and bridge infrastructure affects the entire community and must be treated with seriousness.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the District Chairperson, Wakweika Jackson, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to our repeated phone calls.
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