Summary:
The stalled construction has blocked the natural flow of River Kaku, causing water to accumulate and form what locals have dubbed “Lake Nyumba.”
KISORO: The stalled construction of the Kanyamatekye Bridge on the Kanyamateke-Busanza-Nyabwishenya road in Kisoro District has led to severe flooding, prompting urgent calls for government intervention from affected residents.
The bridge connects Busanza, Kirundo, and Nyabwishenya sub-counties, and its incomplete state has left the surrounding areas inundated.
The project, which began in March 2024 with an allocation of over 1.9 billion shillings, is being handled by Geses Construction Ltd. It was initially championed by the late Hon. Sarah Mateke, former State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs.
However, since her passing in September 2024, work on the bridge has come to a standstill, raising concerns about the district’s leadership and its ability to carry forward her development agenda.
The stalled construction has blocked the natural flow of River Kaku, causing water to accumulate and form what locals have dubbed “Lake Nyumba.”
This unexpected water body has submerged farmlands and homes, severely impacting the livelihoods of over 1,000 residents, many of whom now face a dire food shortage.
In desperation, some residents have turned to fishing and are urging the government to introduce suitable fish species and provide necessary fishing materials to sustain their new way of life.
Gabriel Niyibyira, LC1 of Gahiza village, highlighted the crisis, explaining that floodwaters from the river have displaced families and created a food insecurity emergency.
“Over 1,000 people are struggling with a critical food shortage due to the flooding. This has become a major disaster that demands immediate government action,” Niyibyira stated.
Robert Tukamuhebwa, Kisoro’s Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), acknowledged the ongoing crisis, attributing the stalled bridge construction to a lack of additional government funding.
“The project started in March last year, but progress has been halted due to funding constraints. As a result, the community is suffering,” Tukamuhebwa explained.
