Locals lead Muntu to collapsed Manafwa-Buduuda bridge demanding reconstruction

MANAFWA - It was the first time presidential candidate Maj. Gen. (rtd) Mugisha Muntu engaged in a demonstration-like defiance when he found himself entangled and being led by the locals through the bush to the collapsed bridge that connects the districts of Manafwa and Bududa, demanding reconstruction.

Muntu, who is running his campaign unerd the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party banner, had appeared for a campaign rally at Mabolo cell, Bubwaya ward in Manafwa district when he was shocked to see unusual numbers increasing shortly before he gave the locals opportunity to speak out about their challenges, like it has happened at all his rallies.

Thinking that they were going to start with his usual, ‘drug stockouts’ and ‘selling of jobs’ by the district service commissions, he was, on November 23, 2025, instead asked to join them and see for himself how they had, for the last 10 years, suffered with the collapsed Manafwa-Bududa bridge without construction.

tolerance to corruption, streamline security, and end “wolves” in government stealing land and minerals. (All Photos by Stuart Yiga)

“Before we tell you any problem that we face in this village, we want you to first join us, and we will lead you to our bridge, which collapsed. The Government has been promising us for very many years, and we are now hopeful that you will address it once elected president,” said David Bwayo, the area chairperson for Bubwaya ward, Manafwa town council in Manafwa district.

According to Bwayo, the collapsed bridge in question was washed away by floods, which cut off the connection, stranding residents, learners, and traders who relied on the route to access markets, schools, and health centres.

Locals, led by frustrated Bwayo, escorted Muntu with his elite bodyguards to the site, demanding accountability.

“This bridge you see here has killed over 10 people in our village who tried crossing with luggage to Bududa, including women who were crossing to attend to their gardens across the river,” he said.

Among those killed here included Tito Mandu, 55, who died while crossing the river when the bridge was washed away, Michael Wasike Sibinda, who was 60 years old, Lydia Namaye and David Marunda, Bwayo said shortly before he led Muntu to the river. New Vision Online, however, could not independently verify the claims.

“We shall be grateful if you contribute to us because the Government has kept promising us that they shall send engineers to assess the damage and reconstruct it, but we are losing our patience now,” Bwayo insisted.

A bridge of broken promises

Robert Kaboole, an area resident of Buwebele cell, Bunefule ward in Bugobero town council, said the collapsed bridge paralysed daily life.

“Our businesses are down, children miss school, pregnant mothers risk drowning. We warned the Government but they ignored us,” said Kaboole.

Elizabeth Khwaka, a resident of Bukhonzho I village, Bugobero town council in Manafwa district, suggested a makeshift timber bridge funded by the locals.

“Patching a roof with a sieve… it will fail again,” warned Khwaka, echoing fears of more deaths.

Muntu pledges action

Muntu, flanked by locals, vowed urgency, “We will increase the budgetary allocations for road infrastructure, audit and arrest the corrupt to prioritize the lives of all citizens.”
Muntu linked the collapse to systemic neglect, citing Karamoja’s poverty despite loyalty to NRM. 

“Vote for service, not greed.”

Corruption and the ‘time bomb’

The tough-talking Muntu warned Uganda sits on a “political and economic time bomb” unless citizens elect leaders with values.

“You reap what you vote for, corruption or dignity,” he said, decrying vote-buying (sh1,000 per ballot) and NRM’s “art of targeting weak leaders.” In Manafwa, he challenged Museveni: “Does he know about land grabs, job sales? If so, he has no right to seek another term”.

Muntu outlined plans to increase allocations for roads, schools, health centers, zero tolerance to corruption, streamline security, and end “wolves” in government stealing land and minerals.