The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has completed a new bridge in Kanungu District, offering long-awaited relief to residents who have struggled for years to access markets and essential services.
The 50-million-shilling bridge, built by the UPDF Engineers Brigade, links Nyamizi Cell in Kihanda Sub-county to Kakoni LC1 in Nyarugunda Parish. It is one of the major community support projects under the 45th Tarehe Sita commemorations.
Maj Albert Mukama, who heads the UPDF Engineers team in Kigezi, said the project relied on local materials, including timber and stones, to deliver a durable and cost-effective structure. He explained that the bridge meets military engineering standards and can safely handle heavy vehicles.
“We have built similar bridges in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo that can withstand the weight of heavy trucks and tankers,” Maj Mukama said. He added that the new bridge has a lifespan of at least 20 years if the community maintains it well.
Before its construction, residents faced steep valleys and seasonal floods that often cut off access to markets, schools, and health facilities. Local leaders say the community lost lives, especially school children, who attempted to cross makeshift bridges during heavy rains.
The area chairperson, Kintu Henry, welcomed the development. He said the community had endured years of hardship and danger whenever they tried to cross the stream.
Brig Gen Micheal Kibuye, the UPDF Director of Civil-Military Cooperation, praised the engineering team for completing the project in less than a month. He noted that the bridge is among several civil–military initiatives the UPDF is implementing in Kigezi as part of the Tarehe Sita activities.
The bridge will be officially handed over to the community on January 6, 2026.
