Bulyamushenyu Bridge to be completed by May

By Frederick Kiwanuka   in Nakaseke

CONSTRUCTION of the sh2.9b Bulyamushenyu Bridge which will connect Nakaseke to Masindi Districts across river Kafu is set to be completed by May, officials have said

Daniel Alinange, the communications Manager of UNRA which is implementing the project, said that there has been a delay of five Months, mainly due to last year’s torrential rains which disrupted the progress of the work

“We had to stop the contractors for some time around November last year because of the rains  .But, now they have resumed ,and I am sure they will be able to complete by May,” Alinange said in a telephone interview.

The Uganda Government funded Bridge whose construction is being undertaken by AMPASS Technical Service, had initially been scheduled to be completed in a period of 12 Months from December 2010 to December 2011.

The new bridge will connect Bulyamushenyu, in Kinoni sub-county, Nakaseke District to Miduuma,in Kijunjuba sub-county,Masindi District, shortening  the journey between Kampala and Masindi, by a distance of 20 Kms.

The people living on either side have hitherto been crossing with the help of canoes.

Alinange also admitted that the progress of the work had been affected by late release of funds by government.
“Like any other institution of Government, UNRA is also affected by late release of funds. But we shall pay them” he said.

The AMPASS Pilipino site Engineer, Reynaldo Gumawid attributed the delay to a mixture of last year’s rains and the late release of funds by government.

“We tried to push on despite the late release of funds but we were also disturbed by the rains, “Gumawid said.
He said the torrential rains washed away the first soil embankment which they had raised, bringing work to standstill. He however confirmed that the construction will be complete by May.

According the UNRA Manager in charge of the project, the designed structure comprises a 40m long three span composite bridge that will be supported on reinforced concrete abutments on shallow foundations with two intermediate piers.

Tugume said during the launch in 2010 that the bridge will be 6 meters wide, with a 4m roadway and 10m wide raised walk ways on either side, in keeping with the prevailing road classification and pedestrian safety concerns.

The UNRA Executive Director, Eng. Sebanakitta, said Bulyamusenyu Bridge was an important link in the Uganda transport network that would significantly contribute to the economic prosperity of the people of the central region, especially Luweero and Nakaseke.

Sebanakitta said the Bridge will reduce travel time and thus improve trade, boost service delivery and promote development in the areas of: Luweero, Nakaseke and Masindi.