Nakaseke-Masindi Bridge complete

By Frederick Kiwanuka                   

The long awaited Ngoma-Bulyamushenyu Bridge which connects Nakaseke to Masindi District across river Kafu, is to be completed next month, the project Manager, Engineer Jonathan Tugume has said.

Tugume said the 2.9bn bridge whose construction has dragged since 2010, will be ready for use next Month, after a delay of eight Months.

“By August it will be open for traffic, because the bulk of it is now complete,”Tugume said in an interview.

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

Constructed by AMPASS Technical Services a local firm, the Uganda Government funded bridge had initially been scheduled to be completed in a period of 12 Months from December 2010 to December 2011.

Tugume said the construction cost went up by 10 per cent as a result of some modifications made on the original design, which involved doubling the lane

The UNRA communications Manager, Daniel Alinange blamed the eight Months delay on the torrential rains of December 2011 and January 2012 which disrupted the progress of the work

He said the rains which brought the construction works to a standstill, washed away the original construction site, forcing the constructors to start afresh.

The project consultant, Enginner Fred Lusundo said the major construction works, including the casting of a 40 meter bridge deck and the raising of a 300 meter soil embankments had been completed.

“We  are remaining with putting up guard rails and casting the walk ways for pedestrians ,which will all be done in by the end of July,” Lusundo who represents  COWI/TRIO , the project consultancy firm ,said.

The UNRA Executive Director, Eng. John 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.

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