BUDUDA – The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, on his way to Bududa District Headquarters for the ongoing anti-corruption campaign, made a stopover at the collapsed Manafwa-Bududa Bridge in Buwangani Town Council.
The bridge, known locally as the Buwangani – Bududa Corner main bridge, collapsed after being washed away by floods and has been out of use for several months. It is a vital link connecting Manafwa District to Bududa Town, the District Headquarters and Bududa Hospital.
According to residents and local officials who briefed the minister at the site, the collapse has cut off direct access for learners, traders and patients seeking services at Bududa Hospital. Motorists are now forced to use a long detour of more than five kilometres, while pedestrians rely on a temporary footbridge that becomes impassable during heavy rains.
The situation worsened on September 13, 2025, when River Tsutsu burst its banks following heavy rains, paralyzing transport and businesses in Bududa Corner for hours, according to the Uganda Red Cross Society.
Hon. Balaam, who is currently leading the nationwide “Expose the Corrupt” campaign targeting mismanagement of public resources in local governments, said his field inspections are meant to see first-hand the state of service delivery. His tour involves impromptu inspections of roads, schools and health facilities, followed by public accountability barazas.
While at the bridge, the minister interacted with residents who decried the difficulty in accessing health services and markets. He noted that such infrastructure failures directly affect service delivery, which his ministry is mandated to supervise.
The Minister promised to engage the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Road Fund on emergency intervention for the bridge, which residents say has isolated communities that depend on Bududa Hospital and Bududa main markets.
The anti-corruption campaign, which has already covered several districts in Bugisu and other regions, continues in Bududa with inspection of government projects and a public rally at the district headquarters.
