15 Years Without a Bridge: Kebisoni Community Resorts to Self-Help

Rukungiri: Residents of Northern Ward in Kebisoni Town Council have come together to build a temporary bridge at Omukabale after 15 years of unfulfilled government promises.

The bridge, which connects Nyamigongo cell to Kanyeganyegye in Northern Ward, has been in a poor state since it broke several years ago. Its collapse has affected students, farmers, and other community members who depend on it to cross the river to access schools, markets, and health services.

Speaking to our reporter at the site this afternoon October 2, the LC2 chairperson for Northern Ward, James Kahinda, alongside residents Clement Kabangizi from Nyamugongo cell, Darius Rugambwa, and the LC1 chairperson for Kanyeganyegye cell, Enock Katuregye, stressed the importance of the bridge. They noted that it connects villages such as Kanyeganyegye, Katunga, Kiborogota, Itano, and Ndama-Kamba to Kebisoni Town Council headquarters and Rukungiri town. Without it, residents struggle to access essential services.

Students from schools including St. Jerome Ndama Secondary School, Kebisoni Seed School, Kebisoni Parents Primary School, and Bishop Ruhindi Kebisoni High School have also faced serious challenges crossing the river since the bridge broke.

Residents recalled a tragic incident at the same spot where the river washed away a woman and a cow, leading to their deaths.

CUE IN……RESIDENTS…RR

The Woman Councillor for Northern Ward, Allen Musiime Bwakwanga, and Kebisoni Town-Council Secretary for Finance, Richard Bibyomumisho, commended residents for their communal effort. They assured them that council has already allocated funds to work on the bridge and promised it will soon be rehabilitated.

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The NRM flag bearer for Mayor of Kebisoni Town Council, Leonald Muhunguzi Tiberondwa, also praised the residents for their initiative. He revealed that during his time as District Councillor for Kebisoni Subcounty, funds had once been allocated for the bridge and culverts promised, but the project was never completed.

He encouraged residents to embrace small community development initiatives and later demand government support, similar to models used in other countries. Muhunguzi pledged that, if elected mayor, he would prioritize Omukabale bridge and ensure work begins within six months.

CUE IN…..MUHUNGUZI…RR