The Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, officially commissioned the Buhindagye Bridge on the 24th of February 2022.
The bridge is at the border between Ibanda and Rubirizi Districts. On the Ibanda side is Karuhisi village in Irima Parish, Kicuzi Sub county while on the Rubirizi side is Kagarama Village in Kyabakara Parish, Kyabakara Sub-county. The bridge provides access across River Buhindagye.
Buhindagye Bridge was constructed under the Rural Bridges Infrastructure Development Project, a flagship project introduced in FY 2019/2021, fully funded by the government of Uganda and implemented through the Ministry of Works and Transport.
The construction of the bridge commenced on 11th of June 2019 and was completed in August, 2020 by contractor M/S Kabba (U) Limited at a project cost of 1,979,319,551 Ugx. The project scope included the construction of a 4*4 triple cell box culvert and the construction of approach roads of 1.5km on the Ibanda side and 4km on the Rubirizi side.
While officiating at the ceremony, the Deputy Attorney General noted that the Government recognizes the important role that district and community roads play in the socio-economic development of the country. According to him, this is the reason that more and more funds have been committed towards interventions on these road networks.
“It has been noted, however, that one of the main bottlenecks on these roads is the poor or non-existent bridging structures across various water bodies. Demand for such structures is actually high given that Uganda is endowed with many lakes, rivers, streams and swamps. Further, many of the bridging structures constructed during the colonial era have now exceeded their life spans and now need replacement,” Said Hon. Kafuuzi.
The firm that constructed the bridge, M/s Kabba Construction Ltd. is a local company, in tandem with Government’s policy of promoting local content particularly in the construction industry. The contractor, was engaged to carry out the construction at a cost of UGX 1,979,319,551. The scope of works included the Construction of a 3-cell box culvert spanning 12m; River training; River protection using gabions; and approach road construction of 1.3Km and 5.0 km on the Ibanda and Rubirizi sides respectively.
The two District Local Government officials commended government for responding to their plea to have a bridge installed at the location. They noted that with the bridge in place, transportation of agricultural produce can now be done safely and business transacted with ease between Kicuzi Sub County and Kyabakara Sub County in the two districts of Ibanda and Rubirizi. This should lead to socio-economic development of the area.
The Engineer in Chief, Eng. Samson Bagonza officiated at the commissioning in place of the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Permanent Secretary. He noted that the transport and infrastructure sector has a firm commitment to improve the social and economic wellbeing of all Ugandans in pursuance of the agenda of inclusive growth, development and social transformation.
“As the locals here can attest, construction of the bridge has had many profound benefits to the communities; including reduced travel distance by over 20km, culminating in reduced fares and freight charges. Improved and safe access to social facilities like schools and health facilities especially for the most vulnerable groups; i.e children and pregnant mothers,” noted Eng. Bagonza.
He also emphasized that the community now has improved access to markets for agricultural produce like matooke and coffee; as well as increase in farm gate prices.
The leaders collectively rallied the communities to guard against vandalism of bridge furniture like handrails and road signs; as well as other elements such as gabion wires.