Mbarara City authorities have closed Katete Bridge due to damage. Closure will affect the movement of motor vehicles but will remain open to motorcycles and pedestrians.
The bridge that was constructed in 1999 crosses over River Rwizi and provides a shortcut for traders connecting to Mbarara from Isingiro district and a shorter route to residents who stay in Nyamitanga and Katete Ward.
The bridge has been repaired more than four times but it has continuously been not up to the standard.
Some of the repairs forced the Inspectorate of Government-IG to commence investigations into the alleged shoddy works after the pillars that were built at 25 million Shillings collapsed.
Hillary Mugisha the City Engineer says considering distress levels on the bridge they have decided to physically close it for all motorized traffic.
Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the City Mayor says they have temporarily closed the bridge to avoid uncertainties as they wait for the funds from the finance ministry to be released in the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
He said that since the City lacks funds, the bridge will be constructed by the Works Ministry.
Mwine Paka the Mbarara City South Member of Parliament said that Bills of Quantities, the Bridge designs, and a budget of 6.9 Billion shillings have been submitted to both Ministries of Finance and Works.
In November, Mbarara City councilors tasked the City Clerk Asse Abireebe Tumwesigire to account for funds spent on the bridge repairs.
The councilors argued that they okayed the release of over 5 million shillings under the emergency response fund in September to repair the bridge which was in a bad state.
However, less than a month after repairs were done, the plates on the bridge developed holes and others were missing.
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