Relief as  Zombo completes construction of multimillion bridge

By Mike Rwothomio

Community from the two districts of Nebbi and Zombo have their cheeks flushed with excitement as Construction of Namthin bridge, that connects the two  districts nears completion.

Namthin bridge, a vital connector between the two districts  was swept away by flooding   in 2021,  shortly after it was constructed under NUSAF program, cutting off connection between Nebbi and Zombo.

The bridge  offer learners and business community   year-round access to nearby schools, Nebbi General hospital, Nebbi Market, Paidha Market amongst others.

James Oruna Oyullu, the LCV chairperson of Zombo District during an onsite inspection visit on November 7, expressed happiness over the work progress, commending government of Uganda for the support.

He assured of the bridge commissioning by the end of this month, appealing to the contractor to  expedite the  work progress.

” I’m so grateful to the government of Uganda for this support, I want to call upon this contractor to speed up the process of the remaining work which I believe within three weeks will come to completion, we shall leave  it to dry Abit and then officially  commission it and we want to commission this bridge this month ” Oyullu said in an interview with this Publication at the site.

Namthin bridge is being constructed under Local climate adaptive living ( LoCAL) programme  being  implemented in the district with funding from  UNCDF.

Whilst giving the project status update, Isaac Ngagenu, the Project Manager, also the district engineer, projected  the work progress at 99 percent.

He added that the project involves excavating and redirecting water direction due to relentless flooding and spillovers of the river.

” We should have initially finished this project by June 11th , it was  not possible, it was extended to 30th  September, still it was not possible and the latest expected completion date is now 30th November and we are at 99 percent” Ngagenu explained.

There is plan to carry out revegetation of approach basin through planting of bamboo, to combat massive soil erosion and flooding.

Residents react 

Gloria Acan, a resident of Labora village, Otheko Parish, Paidha town council says ” at least we have safer crossings now”

Patrick Okech, a boda boda rider who plies Nebbi-Paidha road, said ” we know how stressful it is to use the main road, now with the finishing of this bridge, we are going to be saved from dusts and mud on Nebbi -,Jukia road”

The LCIII chairperson of Paidha Sub-County William Okethi expressed extreme joy, noting ” this bridge before it broke down was a lucrative shortcut between Nebbi and Zombo, and we are happy that it has been constructed again”

Already, earthworks for foundation and assessment of soil bearings stands at 100 percent .

On river training, opening of a stilling basin and landscaping, Ngagenu tasked the contractor ” to provide clear timeline on when this activity will be embarked on” 

 Musana Yazidi, the project manager link investments ltd, undertaking the construction work assures of the work completion in three weeks time.

” We are expecting by 30th, to finish the remaining work, that is basically the backfilling that is an approach to the bridge, so that we can get the other level” Yazidi said.

Additionally, the Mayor of Nebbi Municipality Godfrey Ngiriker, commended Zombo district leadership for the work progress, assuring of extensively  utilizing the the forthcoming USMID project,  to tarmac road in the area.

The Zombo Resident district Commissioner Festus Ayikobua, warned of shoddy work, and  calls for effective use of the infrastructure saying ” we are providing the bridges because we want this bridge to link you to  get services like health, education, when we are putting this bridge, how many children of this area  are accessing education, market so that we can change our life style”

One of the multimillion Projects under LoCAL has  recently been commissioned in the neighboring Nebbi district, compelling the Zombo district  leaders to task the contractor to expedite the work progress.

The bridge that its remaining work is basically curing and and painting of the support guards,  is being constructed to a tune of Ugx 340 million.

The worst crisis hit Zombo district between 2022 and 2023, where about 14  major bridges and footbridges were either swept away or broke down, leaving locals in complete crisis of confidence.

Since then, locals and leaders have been calling for interventions across board, due to insufficient funds to undertake part of the work.

Another footbridge that is almost at the verge of completion is Songoli footbridge, that links  Alangi and Zeu Sub-counties.