The Ministry of Works and Transport has commissioned the construction of the Nyahuka–Mirambi bridge, a major infrastructure project expected to ease transport and improve livelihoods in Bundibugyo District.
The 20-metre bridge over the River Nyahuka links Nyahuka Town Council to Mirambi Sub-County. For a long time, people in these areas have struggled to get across when the river floods.
The government is paying for the project, which costs 7.5 billion Shillings, and the construction work is expected to take 12 months. Ruwangananyama Engineering Services Limited got the contract, and work started in April.
While officiating the commissioning on Thursday, Eng. Jeroboam Okullu, the Assistant Commissioner for Drainage structures at the Ministry of Works and Transport, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the bridge is a crucial investment aimed at integrating rural communities into the money economy.
Eng. Okullu emphasised that the project demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening rural infrastructure as a foundation for economic transformation in some of the country’s most geographically challenging areas.
He explained that government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) can only fully succeed when rural communities have reliable infrastructure.
“When people grow crops, there should be good roads to easily transport these products to markets. Eng. Okullu believes that once completed, the bridge will facilitate trade and improve connectivity among villages in Bundibugyo.
He cautioned the contractor to maintain high-quality standards and deliver the project within the set timelines.
Anorld Kasoba, the site manager from Ruwangananyama Engineering Services Limited, noted that the foundation works have been completed and the project has progressed to the abutment level.
He acknowledged that heavy rains had previously slowed progress due to the river’s swelling, but said construction is now moving steadily. “The heavy rains were a challenge because the river would fill up, but now that the rains have reduced, we shall work hard to complete the bridge on time,” Kasoba assured.
The construction has already triggered a rise in land value in the surrounding areas. Plots that previously cost five million shillings are now selling for up to 20 million shillings, as residents anticipate increased accessibility and economic activity.
Bundibugyo District Chairperson Robert Tibakunirwa welcomed the project but appealed to the contractor to avoid shoddy work and ensure completion within the stipulated timeframe. He also urged the ministry to rehabilitate other bridges and road infrastructure destroyed during the 2019 floods. These floods severely affected the district.
Babungi Ruhara, a cocoa farmer in Mirambi subcounty, said crossing the river has always been a struggle, especially during the rainy season. He said the old bridge was too low and would often be submerged, cutting off farmers transporting produce such as cocoa to markets in Nyahuka Town.
“When it rained, pupils going to school in Nyahuka would be cut off and miss classes. Farmers would also fail to take their cocoa to the market.” Ruhara said.
Mary Johnson Tibakanya, another resident, noted that during heavy rains, movement would come to a standstill, leaving people stranded on both sides of the river. Kamida Kabarwani recalled that crossing the river has long been risky.
She revealed that crossing the river has been dangerous, as some people, especially drunkards, would even drown while trying to cross.
Although Bundibugyo district is the country’s leading producer of cocoa, it is considered one of the hard-to-reach districts in Uganda due to its mountainous terrain and a poor road network.
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