Residents Appeal for Urgent Government Action to Rebuild Garuka–Kyabahanga Rushaya Bridge in Rukungiri

Rukungiri: Residents of Garuka and Kyabahanga parishes in Bwambara Sub county, Rukungiri District, are urgently appealing to the government to repair the Garuka–Kyabahanga Rushaya Bridge, a vital link connecting the two parishes.

In a phone interview with our reporter on September 10, several residents, including Darius Muhimbise from Bugarama Cell in Garuka Parish, Moses Niwenyesiga, an aspiring youth councilor for Bwambara Sub County, and Joshua Abomugisha from Garuka Cell in Kikarara Parish, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of the bridge.

They revealed that well-wishers had previously constructed a makeshift bridge using tree offcuts to facilitate transportation in the area while awaiting government intervention. However, the structure has since weakened, posing severe safety risks, especially during rainy seasons.

Residents say the situation has endangered lives, with children struggling to cross the bridge safely. Farmers are also forced to trek long and costly alternative routes to access markets for their produce due to the lack of a reliable transport network.

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Responding to the residents’ outcry, the LCIII chairperson and NRM flag bearer for Bwambara Sub County Gashom Niwagaba Salongo, acknowledged the challenge. He explained that the bridge was initially a community initiative to ease transport and noted that it is now the responsibility of leaders, together with residents, to lobby the government for permanent construction.

Niwagaba added that the bridge’s poor condition has already claimed the lives of school children and residents, stressing the urgency for government action.

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