In the past week, a series of tragic incidents involving River Rwizi bridges have claimed the lives of four individuals, prompting calls for immediate repairs to these crucial structures. Local leaders and residents are appealing to the government and well-wishers for assistance in addressing the pressing issue.
On Monday, the body of 34-year-old Kurineriyo Garamba, a wheelbarrow pusher at Mbarara Central Market and a resident of Kitobero Cell in Nyamitanga Ward, Mbarara City South Division, was discovered floating in River Rwizi. Kurineriyo had gone missing for a week, and it is believed he drowned in the river after falling from a temporary medium-height bridge connecting Kitobero and Taso villages.
Mr. Tom Salongo, a friend of the deceased, explained how Kurineriyo had disappeared, only to be found deceased in the river. Residents report that Kurineriyo is the fourth person to have drowned in River Rwizi within a week after falling from one of the bridges.
Just a few days earlier, an 11-year-old girl, a student at Ntare Junior Primary School, drowned in the river while attempting to cross a bridge from Karugangama to Kakoba Nyakaizi on her way to school. Her body was located in the water after a four-day search.
According to Mr. Salongo, the community has had to retrieve at least four bodies from the river in a span of one week due to heavy rains that have washed away the bridges. Urgent action is required to prevent further loss of life.
Local resident Mr. Steven Muhwezi pointed out that Kitobero Bridge, which had broken down in April, has become a dangerous hazard with no efforts from city authorities to address the issue. The community has resorted to using boats as an expensive and inconvenient alternative to access town, especially for hawkers and wheelbarrow pushers.
Relatives of the deceased victims are speaking out, emphasizing the need for prompt repairs to the bridges. Mr. Yosam Atwebembire, the brother-in-law of Kurineriyo, described him as a dedicated worker who had been in the occupation for six years. A postmortem revealed that Kurineriyo’s cause of death was suffocation after drowning, emphasizing the importance of a safe bridge.
Kurineriyo was laid to rest in Katoma village, Kicwamba parish, Ruhinda Sub-county in Rukungiri District. Ms. Hajjara Kyogabirwe, the mother of Fatuma Nabukenya, the 11-year-old victim, called upon local leaders to fulfill their promises of repairing the bridges to prevent further tragedies. The head teacher of Ntare Junior School, Ms. Allen Atuhaire, echoed these concerns, stating that the bridge poses a significant threat to pupils and residents alike.
