Communities in Nebbi and Zombo Districts are celebrating the nearing completion of Namthin Bridge, a key link that had been destroyed by floods in 2021.
The bridge, connecting Nebbi and Zombo, promises to restore vital access for students, healthcare seekers, and traders to facilities such as Nebbi General Hospital, Nebbi Market, and Paidha Market.
James Oruna Oyullu, the Zombo District LCV chairperson, inspected the site on November 7 and praised the government’s support for the project.
He expressed confidence that the bridge would be ready for commissioning by the end of this month, urging the contractor to finish the remaining work promptly.
“I am truly grateful to the government of Uganda for this support. I call upon the contractor to speed up the final touches. Within three weeks, we expect it to be completed, allowing time for curing before the official commissioning,” Oyullu stated.
Funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) programme, the bridge aims to provide all-season access for the surrounding communities.
Project Manager and Zombo District Engineer, Isaac Ngagenu, confirmed that the work was 99% complete, with some final landscaping and water redirection needed due to ongoing river spillovers.
The project also includes the planting of bamboo to stabilise soil and prevent erosion around the bridge’s approach basin.
Local Reactions
Residents expressed relief at the progress. Gloria Acan from Labora village commented, “At least we now have a safer crossing,” while Patrick Okech, a boda boda rider who regularly travels between Nebbi and Paidha, noted, “We’re finally going to avoid the dust and mud of the Nebbi-Jukia road.”
Paidha Sub-County LCIII Chairperson, William Okethi, welcomed the bridge’s revival, recalling it as a valuable shortcut between the two districts before it was destroyed.
The remaining tasks include backfilling the approach to the bridge, with Yazidi Musana, Project Manager at Link Investments Ltd., assuring completion by November 30. “We’re aiming to finish the backfilling, which will finalise the approach level,” he said.
Additional Support for Local Infrastructure
Nebbi Municipality Mayor Godfrey Ngiriker praised Zombo District’s efforts and highlighted upcoming improvements under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project, which aims to tarmac roads in the region.
Festus Ayikobua, the Zombo Resident District Commissioner, urged residents to care for the bridge, emphasising its role in enhancing access to essential services like health and education.
With an estimated cost of UGX 340 million, the Namthin Bridge marks a significant investment in infrastructure within Zombo, especially after flooding in 2022-2023 severely impacted the area, destroying 14 major bridges and footbridges. The nearly completed Songoli footbridge, linking Alangi and Zeu Sub-Counties, also promises to improve access across the district.
The Namthin Bridge stands as a testament to the power of infrastructure to restore community connections and bolster resilience in rural Uganda.
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