The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade has commenced rehabilitation works on the Katete Bridge at a cost of Shs360 million, down from the originally budgeted Shs600 million.
Speaking at the launch, Capt. Yunus Ntegeka, the Western Regional Manager for the UPDF Engineering Brigade, revealed that while the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) indicates a three-month project timeline, the rehabilitation is expected to be completed in just one month.
“This project will take a month, even though the contract specifies three months. It’s just rehabilitation, and we will work diligently within that period. Our target is to ensure the bridge is operational for users by Christmas,” Capt. Ntegeka said.
He added, “There will be a provision for pedestrians to cross during the works, but users should expect some inconveniences in the short term. Traffic will be manually controlled to facilitate this.”
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi expressed gratitude to the UPDF Engineering Brigade for their swift response, following the signing of the MOU a week ago at Mbuya.
“I am pleased that the UPDF has started work on rehabilitating Katete Bridge. Our people have endured significant inconveniences, but this will soon come to an end,” Kakyebezi said.
He continued, “The assurance we’ve received, which I fully trust, is that the bridge will be ready for use by Christmas, and businesses will recover from the losses they’ve suffered over the past 10 months.”
Muhammad Byansi, the Kakoba South Councilor, acknowledged the frustration among Katete residents and bridge users but expressed confidence in the UPDF's capabilities.
“I understand the anger of Katete residents, and we ask for your forgiveness for the delays. We were focused on minimizing costs and maximizing resources, while ensuring quality and value for money,” Byansi said.
Bridge users interviewed by Nile Post expressed optimism about the ongoing rehabilitation and hope for business recovery after months of disruption.
“Businesses declined, some collapsed, and many people relocated. But we trust the UPDF to deliver,” said Jackson Twijukye, a boda boda cyclist.
“We also hope for an emergency solution to cross the bridge while repairs are ongoing. Using the Nyamitanga route to reach Mbarara City Center is a much longer journey,” added Silas Mugisha, another cyclist.
Mayor Kakyebezi highlighted that although UGX 360 million was allocated for the Katete Bridge rehabilitation, the city had hoped to use the remaining funds to maintain two other bridges—Kanyeite and Taso Village.
The Katete Bridge has been in poor condition for nearly a year and a half. Vehicles were banned from using it in May, forcing them to take the longer Katete-Nyamitanga route to access Mbarara Town, a journey that triples the usual distance.
