Residents from the sub counties of Budongo and Karujubu in Masindi district have been cut off from accessing basic services after Kapeeka – Bulyango bridge was washed away by the heavy rains in the area.
Speaking during a meeting convened by Recreation for Development and Peace (RDP) Uganda at Kapeeka village, Sarah Ayesiga the chairperson community monitoring group (CMG) Budongo sub county explained that Kapeeka –Bulyango bridge was constructed by the community of Kapeeka 1,2 and 3 in 1990s.
Ayesiga noted that the community did so to enable the school going children with in the area access Bulyango primary school which is in Karujubu division. Kapeeka 1,2 and 3, and Zebra villages in Budongo sub county but has no school with in the area instead they are forced to cross to another sub county to access education services.
The bridge was also constructed to enable farmers access markets for their commodities but Sarah Ayesiga the chairperson CMG Budongo sub county said the bridge was washed away in September this year and this has made it difficult for the residents to cross from one sub county to the other.
She added that as a result most of the pupils who crossed from Budongo Sub County to access Bulayango primary school in Karujubu division missed their end of year exams because it was difficult for the pupils to go through the waters.
She also indicated that the community around the place had improvised with a log but it was also washed away by the speeding water.
Morish Ogenyi, from RDP Uganda explained that the aim of the meeting was to bring the matter to the attention of leaders such that they can get a solution towards the matter.
The residents who attended the meeting asked Masindi district leadership to engage Kinyara sugar limited to come in and do the necessary on the bridge as a corporate social responsibility since they are the main users of the same road.
The chairperson LC3 Budongo sub county, Kenneth Kiiza nyendwoha noted that the washing away of the bridge is a security threat in the area and also it has cut off many residents from accessing health facilities, schools, and markets.
He added the issue at hand is beyond Budongo sub county authorities since it needs much money and heavy machinery hence calling upon Masindi district local government to intervene.
Titus Ariyo, the district councilor representing Budongo sub county told the meeting that the district authorities are going to consider it as a priority while planning for the next financial year.
The leaders and the residents who attended the meeting resolved to form a committee which which will engage kinyara sugar limited to intervene into the matter.
The committee which is headed by the LC3 chairperson Kenneth Kiiza Nyendwoha comprises of the Resident district Commissioner, Godfrey Nyakahuma, the MPs from both the municipality and Budongo, the LC3 chairperson Karujubu divison, the LCV Masindi district Comas Byaruhanga and the area councilors from both Budongo and Karujubu divisions.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
