The main bridge connecting Kanungu and Rukungiri districts has collapsed under the weight of a trailer that was carrying cement from Rukungiri.
Nengo Bridge on River Mirera along the Rukungiri – Kanungu road, caved in on Sunday after a heavy truck registration number UAD 539B heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo fell right in the middle as it was crossing.
The Kanungu- Rukungiri road via Nengo has been the only remaining operational road connecting Kanungu district to Rukungiri and other districts.
The road has been the main operational route for tourists to Bwindi National Park through Kanungu, as well as vital for the transportation of tea, coffee, rice and other agricultural produce to markets in Rukungiri and beyond.
The bridge, which was constructed in 1942, first collapsed in 1963 but was worked on in 1965.
Elly Maate, the south-south western police spokesperson says no one was hurt in the accident.
The collapse of the bridge comes barely two months after the collapse of Katunguru – Ishasha bridge and at a time when the Rubaare- Kisizi- Kanungu road rendered impassable due heavy rains. The Kabale – Mafuga – Rutenga Kanungu road was also rendered impassable late last year.
Hundreds of loaded vehicles have been plying the route on a daily basis heading for Kanungu, Kihihi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kanungu district can now only be accessed by road through Bunagana, in the DRC which is also sealed off due to the fighting between the rebels and government forces.
Frank Byaruhanga, the chairperson Social services committee for Kanungu district, claims that they will lose over 3 billion shillings as a district if the bridge takes only three days without being worked on.
Meanwhile heavy truck drivers who were travelling from DRC are stranded in Kanungu due to the collapse of the bridge.
Ismail Bitoogwa, one of the drivers says that he thought he would be in Kampala today loading merchandise but he is still stuck in Kanungu.
Dan Alinange, the Uganda National Roads Authority spokesperson says that they are in a tricky situation as the road is very important to the district and the country as a whole.
