Heavy rains destroy bridges along major roads in Eastern Uganda

Heavy rains in eastern Uganda have destroyed four bridges along major highways in Manafwa and Bulambuli districts.

In Bulumbuli district, the rains burst concrete culverts at Nabujimbi bridge located on Nabujimbi stream along Muyembe-Nakapiripirit route. The bridge is in Nabbongo sub county, Bulambuli district.

Herbert Watyekele, the Fumbula parish chief explained that the incident occurred after a downpour in the night.

"We  woke in the morning to find a wide gorge had eaten more than half of the road. There are two rows of concrete culverts along that spot on the road. The fact that the waters burst the culverts means the stream was flooded and moving at a ferocious speed," Watyekele explained.

The damaged bridge, coupled with a muddy road bearing numerous potholes, has paralysed motor traffic along the Muyembe-Nakapiripirit route. Motorists and cyclists have to cross the narrow bridge in turns.

"When a vehicle is coming from the opposite direction, you have to wait for it to pass before you also cross to the other side.," Andrew Nangosha, aboda  boda cyclist said.

In Manafwa district, the rains damaged Kufu bridge along Bubulo-Manafwa road; Nambeo bridge along Magale-Bumbo road; and Kamitsaru bridge along  Bubulo-Kufu-Bukhobe route.

John Musira, the Manafwa district LC 5 chairman elect noted that numerous small bridges under the district jurisdiction were also swept away.