US, UPDF engineers build Lira bridge
May 06, 2009
US and Ugandan military engineers have finished reconstructing the Walela bridge in Lira district. The bridge was broken down following the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in the north.
By Henry Mukasa
US and Ugandan military engineers have finished reconstructing the Walela bridge in Aromo sub-county in Lira district.
The bridge was broken down following the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in the north.
According to a statement issued by the UPDF on Tuesday, the poor condition of the bridge had hindered the residents from accessing Lira town, especially during the rainy season. The joint team, based in Magamaga in Mayuge district, completed the works in six months.
According to Eng. Jonathan Poellot, a member of the joint team, the bridge could last up to 100 years before any major repairs are done if it is well maintained.
The bridge will be commissioned on Tuesday. The works and transport minister, Eng. John Nasasira, is expected to preside over the function which will be attended by US army and embassy officials, UPDF officers, MPs and local leaders.
The joint team also plans to work on Apita bridge, which was destroyed by a fighter tank. It is located about 4km from Walela bridge.
Other bridges to be constructed include Aromo, and Kaguta, which President Yoweri Museveni had promised to repair.
Meanwhile, the US army and UPDF engineers have also completed construction of a hospital in Pader. It was launched on Tuesday.
The UPDF 5th Division spokesperson, Capt. Deo Akiiki, commended the team over the works.
“We thank the US military and our gallant sons and daughters for reaching out to the communities, especially after the population has gone through the LRA rebel insurgency,†he said.
“The bridges will help uplift development in these areas and hasten implementation of government programmes. This is what it means to have productive and professional armies,†he added.
US and Ugandan military engineers have finished reconstructing the Walela bridge in Aromo sub-county in Lira district.
The bridge was broken down following the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency in the north.
According to a statement issued by the UPDF on Tuesday, the poor condition of the bridge had hindered the residents from accessing Lira town, especially during the rainy season. The joint team, based in Magamaga in Mayuge district, completed the works in six months.
According to Eng. Jonathan Poellot, a member of the joint team, the bridge could last up to 100 years before any major repairs are done if it is well maintained.
The bridge will be commissioned on Tuesday. The works and transport minister, Eng. John Nasasira, is expected to preside over the function which will be attended by US army and embassy officials, UPDF officers, MPs and local leaders.
The joint team also plans to work on Apita bridge, which was destroyed by a fighter tank. It is located about 4km from Walela bridge.
Other bridges to be constructed include Aromo, and Kaguta, which President Yoweri Museveni had promised to repair.
Meanwhile, the US army and UPDF engineers have also completed construction of a hospital in Pader. It was launched on Tuesday.
The UPDF 5th Division spokesperson, Capt. Deo Akiiki, commended the team over the works.
“We thank the US military and our gallant sons and daughters for reaching out to the communities, especially after the population has gone through the LRA rebel insurgency,†he said.
“The bridges will help uplift development in these areas and hasten implementation of government programmes. This is what it means to have productive and professional armies,†he added.