The Kanungu District Engineer, Eng. January Silangi Mugaye, is reportedly missing after a newly constructed bridge on the Kihembe–Butogota–Bwindi Road collapsed barely three months after its completion, prompting police to begin efforts to trace him and other district works officials.
The collapsed structure, Kankoko Bridge, is located in Kanyashande Village, Nyabirehe Parish, Kihembe Sub-county. It was constructed by the Kanungu District Works Department at a cost of UGX 40 million to improve transport across Kankoko River and ease access along the busy route leading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
However, part of the bridge gave way last week following heavy rainfall, raising concerns over the quality of construction and the use of public funds.
Denis Tumukunde, the LCIII Chairperson of Kihembe Sub-county, said residents had welcomed the bridge, hoping it would permanently solve the long-standing challenge of crossing the river.
He said the community was left in disbelief when the newly completed structure partially collapsed after only a few months in service.
“The bridge was expected to improve movement of people and goods, but its collapse has once again disrupted transport in the area. The damage points to poor workmanship,” Tumukunde said.
Kihembe Sub-county District Councillor Julius Tumugabirwe warned that the collapse could also affect tourism, noting that the Kihembe–Butogota–Bwindi Road is a key route used by visitors travelling to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Gaddie Rugaaju Ahimbisibwe, who inspected the site after the incident, blamed the collapse on what he described as shoddy construction.
According to Rugaaju, the bridge was built using old, rusty culverts instead of new ones, while the retaining walls were reinforced with substandard Y6 and Y10 steel bars. He also alleged that the cement mix used during construction was below the required standard, leaving the bridge unable to withstand heavy rains.
He further questioned why the project commenced without an official groundbreaking ceremony involving local leaders, saying such oversight could have helped detect irregularities during construction.
Rugaaju said that when he visited the site following reports of the collapse, the district engineer and other officials from the Works Department could not be found.
He has since directed police to arrest Eng. Mugaye and other officials in the department to assist with investigations into the alleged shoddy work and possible misuse of government funds.
“The collapse of a bridge before it is even commissioned is unacceptable. This is a critical road serving local communities and tourists travelling to Bwindi. Those responsible must account for what happened,” Rugaaju said.
Authorities are expected to carry out technical assessments of the collapsed bridge as investigations into the circumstances surrounding its construction continue.
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