A 'deathtrap' bridge worries Nwoya residents

By Francis Emorut               

The residents of Nwoya district have expressed worries over Ceke Bridge, saying it is a dangerous spot where a score of residents have reportedly been robbed.

Others have escaped death with critical injuries after falling over the bridge which has no support rails on the sides.

Anthony Komakech, the LCI chairman of Owak village, Anaka says the bridge is very narrow and thugs have taken advantage of this to attack unsuspecting victims.

Some people, especially older men and women crawl on the bridge to get to the other side. Because of its width, it becomes both physical and mental challenge to make it past it.

Every step must be calculated.

“As a person walks over the bridge he or she has to move slowly with measured steps to avoid falling over the bridge, and this is when thugs strike,” explains chairman Komakech.

He says some people have lost motorcycles, bicycles and other valuables at the hands of thieves on this very bridge.

In that state of panic, others have tipped over and got injured seriously.

Two boys watch from under the bridge as two older men wobble their way across the danger bridge. PHOTO/Francis Emorut

But no deaths have been reported yet, although residents remain fearful for the worst.

One resident, Josephine Akello says the bridge is more risky for children who need to be guided on the bridge by older people – mostly their caretakers.

Another who leads a local SACCO group points out that they have tried to draw the attention of district leaders but with no success.

 “Several times we have held meetings with the district officials and told them about the need to repair the bridge but they have not made any commitment,” Florence Amito says.

Her village-mate, Celsio Ower Olal says that unless something is done, the bridge remains a deathtrap.

The residents on Friday met with ActionAid Kenya, Uganda and Australia officials who were on field assessment on interventions made to support communities to fight poverty at Owak village, Anaka in Mwoya district.

The bridge in question is within the reach of Nwoya town council and was damaged during the insurgency in northern Uganda.

The residents remain fearful for the worst. They want action from the district authorities. PHOTO/Francis Emorut

But in the wake of robbery reports at the spot, the district speaker, Innocent Komakech refuted such claims, saying that the residents have never reported any such case to district officials and to the Police.

He admitted, though, that he has had rumors on the robberies but maintained that the residents are not straightforward.

When pressed to explain why the district hasn’t taken any action on the bridge situation, Komakech pointed to shortage of necessary funds.

 “We are stuck, the district doesn’t have funds. We are still looking for partners who can come to our aid.”

He explained that the district relies on the central government for its budget since the district was carved out of Amuru district in 2010.