Heavy Rains Wash Away Small Bridges In Kasese, Residents Remain Helpless

Several improvised bridges in Bugoye Sub County, Kasese District, have been swept away by heavy rains.

Residents claim that the rains have caused flooding in various gardens along the Mubuku River, perhaps resulting in hunger as well as an increase in malaria and waterborne disease cases.

After the big bridge was washed away by floods in 2020, people erected makeshift bridges.

The washed-away bridges mostly connected the settlements of Bikone and Biraro to the Ibanda-Kyanya Town Council and Nyakalengijo.

Because of the damage of the three bridges in the area, many farmers from Bikone and Biraro villages are stuck with their harvest, according to Johnson Mumbere, the Mihunga LC1 chairperson.

He goes on to say that excessive rains have ruined most of the roads in the area.

Farmers in Mihunga hamlet, according to Justus Muhindo, have been suffering for the past two years when the major bridge was washed away by floodwaters.

He goes on to say that since the two villages have been cut off from the municipal authority, they have been unable to obtain critical items this Easter.

Another resident, Samson Muhindo, said that after the rains stop, they’ll have to rally again to build another makeshift bridge.

Scovia Masika of Bihone village says her husband, a matooke vendor, has been unable to work since the bridge washed away on Friday morning.

She claims that due to a lack of resources, the family was unable to celebrate Easter.

“It has been pouring heavily since Wednesday,” Masika explained, “so neither my husband nor I can access the town council to trade.”

Eliphazi Muhindi, the chairperson of the Kasese LCV, claims that all damaged infrastructure in the district has been reported to the appropriate government ministries for repair.