MBARARA — After waiting for nearly three years without government intervention, residents of Karugangama Cell in Katete Ward, Mbarara City, have taken matters into their own hands by launching a community fundraising campaign to reconstruct the washed-away Kanyeite footbridge across River Rwizi.
The bridge, which was destroyed by floods in 2022, served as a crucial transport link connecting Karugangama to Bishop Stuart University, Nyakaizi Ward, Mbarara City Centre and neighbouring Isingiro District.
With no replacement bridge built since the disaster, residents say they have been left with dangerous makeshift crossings, disrupting business, education and daily movement while exposing people to life-threatening risks.
According to Wilson Kafureeka, Chairperson of the Karugangama Residents Development Association, the community has so far mobilised Shs9.6 million towards the project and is now seeking to raise the remaining funds needed to meet the estimated construction cost of Shs140 million.
“We have repeatedly appealed to the relevant government authorities to restore the bridge, but nothing has happened. We therefore resolved to mobilise ourselves and save our community,” Kafureeka said.
The destroyed bridge was widely used by milk traders, farmers, students, boda boda riders and other residents travelling between Mbarara City and Masha Sub-county in Isingiro District.
Residents say the absence of a proper crossing has come at a heavy cost. Over the past three years, at least seven people are reported to have drowned while attempting to cross River Rwizi using the damaged Kanyeite bridge or the nearby Taso Village crossing.
Kafureeka revealed that before launching the fundraising campaign, the association consulted Mbarara City authorities, including the offices of the Town Clerk and the City Mayor, to obtain the necessary engineering designs for the proposed bridge.
The plans have since been approved, paving the way for construction once enough funds are raised.
To accelerate the campaign, the association plans to launch a door-to-door fundraising drive targeting residents, well-wishers, businesses and development partners willing to support the project.
Mbarara City Speaker Bonny Tashobya Karusya praised the residents for taking the initiative instead of waiting indefinitely for government funding.
He said the approved project involves constructing a 24-metre steel bridge reinforced with concrete and designed to serve pedestrians, motorcycles and light vehicles for at least 25 years.
According to Karusya, the bridge will not only improve safety but also restore transport and economic activities that have been disrupted since the old structure was swept away.
He nevertheless appealed to the Ministry of Works and Transport to support the community-led initiative, noting that previous requests for government assistance had not received a positive response.
Mbarara City Town Clerk Justine Barekye confirmed that the city administration is aware of the project and has already written to the Ministry of Works and Transport seeking financial support for the bridge.
If completed, the new Kanyeite Bridge is expected to restore a vital transport corridor that thousands of residents have depended on for years while significantly reducing the risk of fatal accidents along River Rwizi.
