Residents who once relied on a busy community road linking the districts of Tororo, Butaleja and Kibuku are now grappling with a dangerous crossing after a key bridge in Butaleja collapsed three years ago.
The road, which previously served as an important transport corridor for farmers—especially rice growers—and traders, has since fallen into disuse.
A stretch that once bustled with trucks transporting rice from the fertile Doho irrigation schemes is now mostly used by farmers walking to and from their gardens, while others lead animals to grazing fields.
The collapse of the bridge has cut off smooth transport and trade between the three districts, forcing many residents to abandon the route over fears for their safety.
Muhammed Naleba, the mayor of Nabiganda Town Council, said the situation has already claimed lives and caused suffering among farmers.
“That road has cost farmers and even lives. At one time a vehicle belonging to Umeme didn’t know the bridge had collapsed and drove into it, causing deaths. Even boda boda riders have fallen into that bridge,” Naleba said.
In an attempt to reconnect their communities, residents constructed a narrow makeshift bridge using timber. However, the fragile structure has been swept away several times by strong water currents flowing through the channel.
The temporary crossing only allows pedestrians and cyclists to pass, effectively locking out vehicles that once used the road to transport goods and people.
Christian Nandiru, a road user, said the makeshift bridge becomes even more dangerous during rainy periods.
“When it rains, you can’t cross on that timber because it becomes very slippery,” he said.
Local leaders say they have reported the matter to the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Works and the Office of the President, but no action has been taken so far.
Moses Pabire, the NRM District Chairperson, said the issue was raised even during President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign visit to the area.
“When the President came here during the campaigns, it was one of the issues I raised because of public demand, even though it was not in the memorandum. Up to now, we are wondering why it has taken this long,” Pabire said.
The road is particularly important to farmers operating around the Doho I and Doho II irrigation schemes, which are among the major rice-producing areas in eastern Uganda.
However, with vehicles unable to access the route, farmers say they are struggling to transport their produce to markets.
Former District Chairperson Samuel Were said the broken bridge has greatly affected the livelihoods of rice farmers in the area.
“This road passes through Doho I and Doho II irrigation schemes. Farmers are now finding it difficult to access markets for their rice,” Were said.
District authorities estimate that at least seven people have lost their lives at the broken bridge. Farmers have also suffered losses when cyclists attempting to cross the fragile structure lose balance, sending their produce tumbling into the stream below.
Local leaders are now calling on the government to urgently reconstruct the bridge to restore transport, revive trade and prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods.