Kakumiro, Uganda: The Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama, has officially commissioned and handed over the Kyenyonga–Kikaada Hybrid Trail Bridge, describing it as a critical investment in rural connectivity and wealth creation under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Speaking at the ceremony on Friday, February 27, 2026, Byamukama said the 63-metre bridge over River Katerere connects the sub-counties of Bwanswa and Kasambya and directly serves the villages of Kyenyonga, Kihurumba and Kikaada
He noted that the project is not merely a physical structure but a strategic intervention aimed at removing barriers to opportunity and reinforcing government’s commitment to inclusive development.
Construction of the bridge commenced in April 2025 and was completed in October 2025.
Aligning Infrastructure with PDM
Byamukama emphasised that infrastructure development remains central to the NRM government’s socio-economic transformation agenda, stressing that rural connectivity is essential for production, trade and service delivery
He said the intervention aligns with Pillar Two of the Parish Development Model, which focuses on infrastructure and economic services, arguing that production without access to markets limits wealth creation.
“For the surrounding communities, this bridge represents safety for school children, reliable maternal health access, improved agricultural market connectivity, and uninterrupted social and economic participation,” the Minister stated.
Partnership and Capacity Building
The Kyenyonga–Kikaada Bridge forms part of a broader programme implemented through a partnership between the Ministry of Works and Transport and Bridges to Prosperity (now FIKA).
Over the past nine years, the collaboration has delivered 34 trail bridges across Uganda, particularly in hard-to-reach and geographically challenging areas.
Beyond infrastructure delivery, the partnership has strengthened institutional capacity through training, development of design manuals and engagement of Ugandan private sector firms in trail bridge construction.
As he handed over the bridge to Kakumiro District Local Government, Mr Byamukama urged district leaders to establish a functional Operation and Maintenance Committee to safeguard the facility against vandalism and misuse.
He commended the district leadership, technical teams and community members for their collaboration, noting that sustainable infrastructure requires collective responsibility.
The new hybrid trail bridge is expected to significantly ease movement, enhance access to markets and social services, and support household transition into the money economy under PDM.
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