Authorities in Ibanda Municipality have commissioned three newly constructed bridges to improve transport, ease movement of agricultural produce, and enhance access to essential services across the district.
The bridges include Nyahora Bridge on the 3.5-kilometre Nyahora–Kigyera road connecting Bufunda Division and Igorora Town Council, and two bridges at Nkakorwa on the Kankorwa–Kemitozo road linking Rukiri Sub-county and Bufunda Division.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, Robert Mugisha, who represented the District Engineer, revealed that the three bridges were constructed at a total cost of over shs 1.2 billion.
“These bridges will not only ease transportation but also improve the delivery of services and enhance connectivity between communities. We ensured that all works met the required engineering standards,” Mugisha said.
The Ibanda Municipality Town Clerk, Asuman Ssebaduka, hailed the development as a milestone in local infrastructure improvement, expressing optimism that the new bridges will significantly boost trade and livelihoods.
“The projects will stimulate economic activity among residents who rely heavily on agriculture. Farmers can now easily transport their produce to markets without worrying about accessibility challenges,” Ssebaduka noted.
In his remarks, Ibanda Municipality Mayor, Apollo Kibeherere, encouraged residents to make the most of the improved infrastructure by increasing agricultural production.
“Now that the bridges and roads are in place, I urge our people to take advantage of them by producing more and looking for what to transport. This is an opportunity to increase household incomes,” Kibeherere said.
Presiding over the event, the Ibanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Godfrey Mbetegyereize, commended the quality of the construction works, applauding the engineers and contractors for ensuring value for money.
“I am impressed by the standard of work done here. There is no evidence of shoddy work, and this is the kind of commitment we want to see in all government projects,” Mbetegyereize stated.
In addition to the bridges, the RDC also commissioned a two-classroom block at Bisheshe Primary School in Bisheshe Division, constructed at a cost of shs 116 million, to improve the learning environment for pupils.
The projects are part of the municipality’s broader efforts to improve infrastructure, enhance service delivery, and promote socio-economic development in Ibanda District.