Residents of Engari Sub-county in Kazo District are looking forward to improved trade, safer travel and better access to essential services as construction of the long-awaited Akati Box Culvert Bridge gains momentum.
The project, funded through a Shs 330 million emergency road fund allocation from the Government of Uganda, is expected to eliminate a major transport bottleneck along the Kigarama–Kicumu–Nsheshe–Akati–Karutusi road corridor.
For years, residents, traders and school-going children have struggled to cross the area, especially during heavy rains when flooding often disrupted movement and cut off communities from markets, schools and health facilities.
District Engineer Eng. Ntwirenabo Coleb said the bridge works are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed by mid-July 2026.
“Once the bridge is completed, movement of people and goods will improve significantly. We shall then focus on upgrading the 28-kilometre Kigarama–Kicumu–Nsheshe–Akati–Karutusi road to further enhance connectivity,” he said.
The bridge is expected to boost economic activity in the predominantly agricultural area by providing farmers and milk traders with reliable access to markets throughout the year.
Nahurira Wilber, a milk transporter, said the project will reduce transport delays and losses that have long affected local businesses.
“This bridge will make transportation safer and easier, especially for those of us who depend on this road for our livelihoods. During the rainy season, movement has always been difficult,” he said.
Parents and education stakeholders have also welcomed the development, saying it will improve school attendance and learner safety.
Moses Ahirwa, a resident, noted that children attending Akati Primary School have often faced challenges crossing the area during heavy rains.
“Our children have suffered whenever the crossing became impassable. The bridge will allow them to travel safely and attend school without interruptions,” he said.
According to district officials, previous interventions involved temporary culvert installations that could not provide a lasting solution due to limited funding. The emergency support from the government has enabled the district to undertake a permanent structure capable of serving the growing population and traffic demands.
To accelerate implementation, the Ministry of Works and Transport provided additional equipment, including an excavator, concrete mixers and a vibrator machine.
Naboth Tinyefuza, a Communications Officer for Kazo District Local Government says the bridge project reflects government’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure gaps and improving service delivery in rural communities.
Upon completion, Akati Bridge is expected to enhance mobility, strengthen trade, improve access to education and healthcare, and drive socio-economic transformation across Engari Sub-county and the wider Kazo District.
