The Rubongi Bridge, a crucial link between Tororo and Butaleja districts, has collapsed once more under the strain of heavy rains, leaving residents stranded and dependent on unsafe and expensive makeshift crossings.
The bridge, located along the Nagongera–Busolwe road, gave way after last week’s downpours, and a temporary diversion put in place by the Ministry of Works was quickly swept away by renewed flooding earlier this week.
Currently, pedestrians and cyclists must pay between Shs1,000 and Shs2,000 to cross the river using a rudimentary wooden platform erected by local volunteers.
The situation has caused frustration among residents, many of whom now face long detours to reach schools, health centres, and markets.
During a visit to the site on Friday, Deputy RDC Amula Albert was met by concerned locals and leaders demanding that the government revive the abandoned permanent bridge project initially contracted to China Railway Seventh Bureau.
“This bridge is our lifeline. Every rainy season, we suffer the same fate because the permanent bridge project was left incomplete. We are tired of empty promises,” one resident told the RDC.
In response, Amula conveyed assurances from Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala that funds would soon be released following a formal appeal by Defense Minister and area MP Jacob Oboth Oboth.
With the rainy season still ongoing and daily travel becoming increasingly dangerous, locals are now calling for immediate redeployment of contractors and completion of a durable, all-weather bridge before further tragedy strikes.