Kaboloi Bridge construction begins after year-long closure
Sep 21, 2023
"I am happy the Ministry took it up though it has taken long. But, as the saying goes, better late than never, it's our pleasure," Kaala said.
People happy to use the bridge even before it's finished. (Photos by Lawrence Okwakol)
Lawrence Okwakol
Journalist @New Vision
______________________ Kaboloi bridge which was written off by engineers because of it's state
Construction works on the dilapidated Kaboloi Bridge in Pallisa District have finally gotten underway to smooth traffic that has been cut off since March 2022.
Kevin Kaala Ojinga the Pallisa District Woman MP said the bridge that connects the counties of Pallisa and Agule, was built in 1958 and its collapse inconvenienced traffic and retarded social and economic activities in the communities it serves.
Kaala said after raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, she teamed up with her counterparts Polycarp Ogwari (Agule), Derrick Orone (Gogonyo), Sam Otukol (Pallisa), and Richard Oseku Oriebo (Kibale) as well as Patrick Duchu, the Pallisa District chairperson, to submit a report to the Ministry of Works and Transport.
"I am happy the Ministry took it up though it has taken long. But, as the saying goes, better late than never, it's our pleasure," Kaala said.
Musa Francis Ecweru, the state minister for works, said the ministry took over the works on the bridge because Pallisa District had been cut off from the rest of Teso.
Ecweru said the metallic culverts that are being installed are to make the road noticeable, however, the engineers will design box culverts that are more durable. 
"The government has injected a lot of money to construct Aleles bridge which is to link Pallisa and Ngora districts, and if Kaboloi is not worked on, then the investment at Aleles will not stand it's benefit to the region," Ecweru said.
David Ochwa, the former MP for Agule County, said as a local investor who opened the Agule School of Nursing and Midwifery, he found it very expensive to transport students from school to Pallisa General Hospital.
“From school to hospital we could use 30 litres of fuel but because of meandering via Kibale, the omnibus consumes 70 litres daily," Ohwa said.
Frances Atukot a resident of Agule Town Council said the broken bridge saw bodaboda fares skyrocket from sh4,000 to sh8,000 which forced most expectant mothers who were to be taken to Pallisa General Hospital for better management to risk delivering at home.
Since March 2022, four expectant women have died due to poor attention.
Peter Ochuli, a casual laborer at the site said they have also got temporary employment from the bridge’s construction.
"As youth, we used to gamble and play Ludo but the 20 of us working here are assured payment which is job creation rather than bringing people from Kampala to work here," Ochuli said.
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