Mbarara leaders face backlash over unrepaired Katete Bridge

Mbarara City leaders are facing criticism for their failure to address the growing concerns over the state of the River Rwizi Katete Bridge, which has remained unrepaired for months.

During recent public gatherings, including an event at St. Paul Katete Church, Mbarara City South Mayor Jomo Mugabi avoided discussing the deteriorating condition of the bridge, further aggravating the frustrations of the Katete community.

The bridge, a critical link for trade and daily activities, has been restricted to pedestrians, motorcycles, and bicycles since it was damaged, severely disrupting local businesses and livelihoods.

At the burial of senior midwife Judith Kyarisima, mourners seized the opportunity to demand answers from their leaders.

Their grief quickly turned to frustration as they confronted Mbarara City Woman MP Atukwasa Rita Bwahika, who was present at the ceremony.

"When? When? When will the bridge be worked on?" the mourners shouted, fed up with months of inaction.

MP Bwahika, visibly uncomfortable, attempted to reassure the crowd. "No matter how much the government delays, it will still act because it promised to do so,” she said.

"As leaders, we are not sitting idly; we are working tirelessly to repair this bridge for the benefit of all of us," she added.

However, her reassurances did little to alleviate the community’s anger. Residents have grown tired of what they see as empty promises.

The people of Katete feel the daily impact of the bridge closure; the inability to transport goods across the river has crippled local businesses, resulting in fewer customers and higher transportation costs.

For many, the government's silence on the issue during public events has only deepened their sense of neglect.

Compounding the community's frustration is the unresolved mystery surrounding Kyarisima’s death. The senior midwife, who went missing on September 2, was found dead days later under suspicious circumstances.

MP Bwahika addressed the mourners, expressing disbelief that Kyarisima, known for her strong character, would have taken her own life.

“She was a very responsible person who would never have attempted suicide,” Bwahika insisted.

She also revealed that she had visited the four suspects arrested in connection with Kyarisima’s death, including her husband, Nkwasibwe Justice, though she did not disclose the details of her conversations with them.

The mourners' frustration over the bridge issue was matched by their demand for justice for Kyarisima. Bwahika pledged to fight for accountability, calling for the harshest punishment for those responsible for her death.

“After the investigation, the killer should be imprisoned far beyond Luzira prison for murdering a woman who helped so many mothers in childbirth and fought for nurses’ rights,” she declared, receiving applause from the crowd.

As the ceremony ended, the frustration of the Katete community remained palpable.

The unresolved issues of the bridge's repair and the mystery surrounding Kyarisima's death have left the residents demanding more than just words from their leaders.

Until both the infrastructure concerns and the calls for justice are addressed, the people of Katete will continue to press for the action and answers they deserve.