By Francis Nizeyimana
The Bufumbira North Member of Parliament Hon. John Kamara Nizeyimana has admitted his direct involvement in the destruction of a Government Bridge on River Kaku in 2018.
Hon. Kamara says, his actions are incriminating in nature, but they managed to attract Government’s attention which released funds for a bridge the people of Busanza can be proud of.
The three-time Legislator made the revelation to the media after meeting with the Kisoro Chief Administrative Officer Hajji Badru Mayanja and District Engineer Karamira James.
The development comes days after Kisoro District Local Government received 600 Million Shillings as part of a 2.5 billion shillings requirement to rehabilitate Kanyamateke into a modern Box Culvert Bridge.
Kanyamateke Bridge was recently vandalized and put on fire by unknown people because of its poor state connects Buhozi parish of Busanza Sub County to Nyabwishenya & Kirundo sub counties.
The bridge plays a vital role in connecting tourism destinations as well as connecting markets for trade which has been nearly impossible in recent months.
https://vomuhabura.com/govt-spends-600-million-on-impassable-kanyamateke-bridge-in-kisoro/
Hon. Kamara said it is unfortunate that the only way to get Government to listen to the people’s problems is to take drastic actions as vandalizing Government property.
He said the bridge at Kanyamateke was impassable and people were losing out on economic livelihoods.
Kamara admits that it was a similar situation back in 2018 when the bridge on Kaku River was completely impassable and he mobilized the communities to reap apart the wooden bridge.
18th of January 2018 is a day the people of Busanza will not soon forget as Police commanded by then DPC Charles Patrick Okoto fired teargas and engaged the MP in running battles in an attempt to arrest him.
Didas Muntuki, the Busanza Sub County Chairperson was arrested that day for inciting residents to destroy a government bridge.
In a period of two years, what used to be a broken-down wooden bridge was replaced with a modern reinforced 17m Span Bridge under, ‘Emergency design and Build‘ by Uganda National Roads Authority.
Hon. Kamara says his direct involvement on the ground that day forced Government to divert a bridge project for a place called Kagandi Bridge to be brought and constructed on Natete-Busanza-Mpaka Road.
“We no longer have a bridge called Kaku but in the UNRA records that Bridge is called Kagandi. It’s unfortunate that the people who deserved this bridge did not get it but we had to fight for ourselves”, Kamara admits.
A total of 500 Million Shillings was also received by the district under the road fund to rehabilitate all district roads.
Hon. Kamara said communities in Kisoro need to remain patient before works can begin because more rains are expected therefore works cannot take place.
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