Zombo, Uganda: Residents of Athuma and Jangokoro sub-counties have restored the Nyagak Paa Okecha footbridge after it was swept away by heavy Easter Sunday rains, reconnecting thousands of people to essential services.
The footbridge, which links Gombiri and Kawa villages, is a critical access route to health facilities, schools, and markets. Its sudden collapse disrupted movement for several hours, forcing residents to mount an urgent community-led response.
Simon Kisa, the area councillor for Patek Parish in Jangokoro Sub-County, said residents quickly mobilised labour, materials, and financial contributions, some as little as UGX 100, to restore the crossing.
“As the situation got out of hand, we mobilised and started work. People contributed whatever they could, and now our community can pass on the bridge with ease,” Kisa said.
Local leaders including LC1 chairpersons Ongey Fred Anecho (Opayu village) and Denis Owekdongwa (Kawa village) described the bridge as a vital “artery” for service delivery, calling for government and partner support to construct a more durable structure.
Francis Bolingo, the district councillor for Athuma Sub-County, visited the site and pledged district intervention, noting that authorities are working toward a long-term solution.
Zombo District, intersected by major rivers such as Nyagak, Ora, Ayuda, and Leda, frequently experiences infrastructure disruptions during heavy rains, leaving communities temporarily cut off.
District Secretary for Finance, Planning and Administration Mustafa Ongom revealed that the draft FY 2026/27 budget allocates UGX 1.8 billion (4.95%) to the Works and Engineering department, which is expected to address persistent infrastructure gaps if approved.
Under the LoCAL (Local Climate Adaptive Living) project, the district has already constructed Songoli and Namthin footbridges, easing access challenges in some areas.
Meanwhile, residents in Yil, Atyak Sub-County, continue to face similar challenges due to the poor condition of the Nyagak Paa Bruno footbridge. Ora County MP Songa Biyika Lawrence has confirmed plans to construct the bridge under the LoCAL project, noting that the site has claimed over 30 lives in the past two decades.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
