Relief as Zombo completes construction of multimillion bridge
He also mentioned plans to plant bamboo in the approach basin to prevent soil erosion and manage flooding.
Zombo: The communities of Nebbi and Zombo Districts in Uganda are eagerly awaiting the completion of Namthin Bridge, a critical infrastructure project linking the two districts.
This bridge, initially constructed under the NUSAF program, was destroyed by floods in 2021, severing a crucial route that connects Nebbi and Zombo. The bridge is essential for year-round access to vital amenities, including schools, Nebbi General Hospital, and major markets in the area.
During a recent inspection on November 7, James Oruna Oyullu, the LCV chairperson of Zombo District, expressed his gratitude to the Ugandan government and urged the contractor to speed up the remaining work.
He is hopeful the bridge will be ready for commissioning by the end of November. Oyullu said, “I’m so grateful to the government of Uganda for this support… we shall leave it to dry a bit and then officially commission it, and we want to commission this bridge this month.”
Namthin Bridge is funded through the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) program, supported by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Project Manager Isaac Ngagenu, who is also the district engineer, noted that work is 99% complete. Despite initial completion targets of June and later September, unexpected flooding extended the timeline, with the latest completion date now set for November 30.
Ngagenu also mentioned plans to plant bamboo in the approach basin to prevent soil erosion and manage flooding.
Residents react
Gloria Acan from Labora Village expressed her appreciation for safer crossings, while Patrick Okech, a boda boda rider, is grateful to avoid the dusty, muddy Nebbi-Jukia road.
William Okethi, the LCIII chairperson of Paidha Sub-County, also shared his joy, calling the bridge a “lucrative shortcut” between Nebbi and Zombo, eagerly awaiting its reestablishment.
The project, managed by Link Investments Ltd under Musana Yazidi, is expected to wrap up by November 30, with backfilling work approaching completion.
Additionally, earthworks and soil assessments are at 100%, while river training and landscaping activities remain in the planning phase. Project Manager Isaac Ngagenu has urged the contractor to set a clear timeline for these pending tasks.
Godfrey Ngiriker, Mayor of Nebbi Municipality, praised the Zombo district leadership for progress and emphasized plans to further improve local infrastructure through the USMID project, which will add paved roads in the area.
Festus Ayikobua, the Zombo Resident District Commissioner, stressed the importance of quality work, urging the community to use the bridge to access services like education and healthcare.
This emphasis on functionality is especially pertinent, given that 14 bridges in Zombo were lost to flooding between 2022 and 2023, prompting repeated appeals for infrastructural support.
The project, funded through Uganda’s Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) program with a budget of UGX 340 million, is part of a broader initiative to strengthen flood resilience in the region.
Alongside Namthin Bridge, the Songoli footbridge linking Alangi and Zeu Sub-counties is also nearing completion, further easing access in these flood-prone communities.
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