Nwoya 'deathtrap' bridge repaired

Ceke Bridge in Nwoya district, which had for long been in a dilapidated state yet still in use, has since been repaired.

New Vision first ran the story of the weakened bridge three years ago.

To cross from one end to another, children and elderly women used to crawl, clinging onto the sides of the dangerously narrow steel bars that acted as the bridge.

There were reports of some falls at this crossing point but no deaths.

Residents of Owat village had considered it a deathtrap after some children and women got injured from falls.

 BEFORE: It was quite some work making it across the makeshift bridge

 AFTER: But now one can cross it with more confidence after it was repaired

The bridge was also known to be a popular spot for thugs who would waylay unwitting residents and rob them .

Located near Anaka town council, Ceke Bridge was damaged during the insurgency involving renegade rebel leader Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

When New Vision visited the area recently, the residents said the bridge was repaired during the election period.

"Government was prompted to repair the bridge so as to get votes," said Daniel Opio, a youth activist with Action Aid Uganda.

But when contacted, Nwoya district community officer Geoffrey Akema said that wasn’t the case. He stressed that the money was from the central government channeled through the Peace, Recovery Development Plan (PRDP).

He said the bridge was repaired in March this year after the general elections.

According to Akema, the restoration of the bridge has increased productivity in the area as the agricultural community is able to trade their produce in Anaka town council.

"The bridge connects the community to the town council and it has helped to boost productivity and trade.”

He added that no cases of robbery have been reported since the repair.

Meanwhile, the stones supposed to support the bridge are beginning to give way and soil washed by floods.