Mpondwe Bridge Culverts Stolen In Kasese
Travel has been paralyzed between Uganda and DRC through the Mpondwe border after culverts on the bridge were stolen. Mpondwe bridge connects Bwera Sub county and Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council on the main road from Uganda to DRC
Now heavy trucks from Uganda, crossing to the DRC, have been diverted to take a longer route as the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) undertakes remedial works on the bridge.
Area local leaders told journalists that they intervened immediately after getting information that the culverts on Mpondwe Bridge had been stolen. Some suspects were arrested.
Coster Baluku, a businessman at Mpondwe border says the vandalism of the bridge has significantly affected their businesses.
The State Minister for National Guidance, Kabyanga Godfrey who came to assess the damage Baluku, said that the bridge cannot carry heavy trucks now because of the damage.
He condemned the vandals and noted that repairing the bridge cost the government a lot of money, which funds could have been put to better use.
Minister Kabyanga called upon the community to be more vigilant and guard public assets from those who don’t appreciate their use but only look at short term personal gains.
The security and local leadership did not give out the names of the suspects for fear that it could jeopardize investigations.
