Angry residents of Nyombe Parish, Kahungye Sub-county in Kabale District on Tuesday dismantled the Habuhinga-Kasiru bridge, effectively blocking Ndorwa West MP and Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), David Kwesiga Bahati, from accessing Butanda Sub-county where he had planned a series of consultative meetings.
The bridge, made from timber and logs through community efforts, connects Kahungye Sub-county to Butanda Sub-county via Habuhinga and Kasiru villages. However, as Minister Bahati and his team approached the bridge, they were met by a group of enraged residents who began dismantling it on the spot, removing logs and timbers while demanding that the minister turn back and find an alternative route.
Minister Bahati was accompanied by Kabale District Vice Chairperson, Miria Akankwasa Tugume, who represents Kahungye and Butanda sub-counties.
Residents, including Sylvia Tugineyo, Shallon Tusingwiire, Sam Akiza and Sheillah Kusingura, expressed frustration over the minister’s continued neglect of the area. They accused him of failing to advocate for the construction of a permanent bridge despite numerous appeals.
They further stated that they would not allow him to use the bridge for political campaigns, citing repeated unfulfilled promises and lack of tangible development.
“We have been maintaining this bridge with our own resources, but he has done nothing,” said one resident. “The floods keep washing it away, and we are left to rebuild it every time.”
CUE IN RESIDENTS…..ON PROTEST……..RR//
Kahungye Sub-county LCV Councilor, Champion Baker, confirmed the dire state of the bridge, noting that it poses a serious risk to residents.
“Three people have nearly lost their lives while trying to cross,” he said.
While acknowledging the district’s limited budget, Baker criticized Bahati for his failure to lobby for funding to improve infrastructure in the area.
“We expected more from our representative in Parliament. His silence and inaction speak volumes,” he added.
CUE IN BAKER…..ON THE BRIDGE……RR//
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