By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Hundreds of residents from Kibagala cell, Kiwuno ward in Mbale City Northern on Wednesday, 12th, February 2025 held a protest over the dangerous state of Luwunba Bridge that connects Namanyoyi and Lwaso Sub counties.
The protesting residents have accused the authorities of neglecting their pleas for two years. They say the poor state of the bridge has made the transport fares high and those using the bridge risk drowning.
Juma Mwayi, the LC1 of Kibagala cell says that the bridge that is used by school goers and traders on a daily basis had been improvised by some timber. He accuses the Mbale city leadership of lies, promising to work on the bridge but in vain.
Other residents who spoke to our reporter, noted that the bridge is very essential as it helps to transport sand and rocks being the major economic activity in the area.
Sulayah Mugide, a resident says they struggle to connect with their colleagues on the other side of the village. She also says that leaders promised to work on the bridge, but to date, nothing has been done.
One of the Boda boda riders only identified as Emma who doubles as the vice-chairman of Kibagala bodaboda stage attributed the poor state of the bridge to poor leadership.
He says the bridge has been a danger to the community where some cases of drowning have been reported. He sounded a strong warning to aspiring leaders not to go to them during elections if they can’t stand with the community during this trying moment.
When contacted about the matter, Mbale city public relations officer, James Kutosi appealed for patience among the residents but acknowledges that the city has stock of all bridges that have broken down and have not been worked on.
Kutosi states that the city is currently concentrating on roads adding as for bridges, the authorities are involving the office of the Prime Minister for financial aid.
“We are receiving our grader bought by our local revenue next week. And then we have some equipment that has been borrowed from Minister of Works, we are using that for opening up roads. But for purposes of bridges. We were asking for involvement of the office of the prime minister because all the bridges that have been submitted for repair are too expensive to put together,” says the city PRO.
