The Shs330 million project, funded under the government’s emergency road fund, is aimed at eliminating a long-standing transport bottleneck along the Kigarama–Kicumu–Nsheshe–Akati–Karutusi road corridor.
For years, residents, traders and schoolchildren have faced difficulties crossing the area, particularly during heavy rains when flooding frequently cut off communities from markets, schools and health facilities.
Kazo District Engineer Coleb Ntwirenabo said construction works are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed by mid-July 2026.
“The bridge is expected to boost economic activity in the agricultural area by giving farmers and milk traders year-round access to markets,” Ntwirenabo said.
The district, which is known for dairy farming and agricultural production, has long suffered losses whenever flooding disrupted movement of goods and people.
Milk transporter Wilber Naturinda said the bridge will help reduce delays and losses that have negatively affected local businesses.
“When it floods, we lose hours and sometimes milk goes bad. This bridge will change that,” Naturinda said.
Residents also believe the project will improve safety and school attendance for learners who have often struggled to cross the area during the rainy season.
Moses Ahirwe, a resident, said pupils attending Akati Primary School have regularly faced challenges reaching school whenever floodwaters made the crossing impassable.
“Our children have suffered whenever the crossing became impassable. The bridge will allow them to travel safely and attend school without interruptions,” Ahirwe said.
District officials noted that previous efforts relied on temporary culverts that repeatedly failed due to inadequate funding and increasing traffic demands.
The emergency road fund allocation has enabled construction of a more durable structure designed to serve the growing population.
To accelerate the project, the Ministry of Works and Transport provided heavy equipment, including an excavator, concrete mixers and a vibrator machine.
Kazo District Local Government Communications Officer Naboth Tinyefuza said the bridge demonstrates government’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure gaps in rural communities.
Upon completion, the Akati Box Culvert Bridge is expected to improve mobility, facilitate trade, and enhance access to education and healthcare services for residents of Engari Sub-county and the wider Kazo District.