KOLE, Uganda — MP Judith Alyek and other leaders from Northern Uganda have urged the government to prioritize issues in the region, particularly concerning the Pakwach Bridge. Alyek explained to the media that the bridge is crucial for travelers moving from Kampala to South Sudan, west to Lira via Karamoja to Kenya, as well as those traveling to the outskirts of Kampala.
Alyek spoke to the Ankole Times shortly after addressing concerns about the deterioration of the Pakwach Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Hon. Judith Alyek, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, urged UNRA to urgently address the bridge’s condition for the benefit of the people in West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja subregions, as well as central Uganda, to boost normal transportation and business opportunities for the population.
Most members of Parliament from Northern Uganda expressed their concerns and demanded that the Pakwach Bridge be treated as a pressing emergency issue. Hon. Onekalit Denis Amere, MP for Kitgum Municipality, called on the government to honor its pledge to construct the Karuma Bridge within three months, from September to December 2024, as previously communicated, and to also address the issues surrounding Pakwach Bridge.
The Pakwach Bridge, also known as the Albert Nile Bridge, was built in the early 1960s to connect the railway to the West Nile region. Local leaders in Northern Uganda, particularly in the West Nile subregion, have raised numerous concerns about its future. Meanwhile, the Pakwach Bridge has reportedly developed several visible cracks, posing a threat to travelers.
MP Gilbert Olanya of Amuru District noted that the soil surrounding the bridge is collapsing and emphasized the need to prevent the issues faced by the Karuma Bridge from recurring at Pakwach Bridge, urging the government to intervene to protect travelers.
The deteriorating condition of the bridge has caught the attention of UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina, who stated that the government plans to build a permanent bridge at Pakwach and Karuma. Additionally, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has announced plans to install a temporary jetty bridge to address the worsening condition of the Pakwach Bridge, which hampers vital connections between West Nile, Northern Uganda, and the rest of the country, as well as neighboring countries.
