Residents of Nyakarambi and Kagondo villages in Rukiga District are set to benefit from improved safety and mobility following the completion of a new canvas bridge constructed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
The bridge built by UPDF engineers replaces a weak temporary wooden crossing that had repeatedly failed especially during the rainy season. For years, the old structure exposed residents particularly schoolchildren, traders and farmers to serious danger whenever water levels rose.
Local leaders say the new bridge has significantly reduced the risk of accidents and eased movement between the two communities. Previously residents were forced to take long detours or wait for water levels to subside disrupting access to schools, health services and markets.
According to UPDF officials involved in the project, construction of the canvas bridge was completed within a short timeframe as part of the army’s community support initiatives. The structure is expected to provide a safer and more reliable crossing while longer term infrastructure solutions are considered.
The impact has been immediate for learners in the area, many of whom had missed classes due to the unsafe crossing. Parents and teachers say the bridge will help improve school attendance and reduce anxiety among children who previously risked injury or drowning.
Farmers and traders have also welcomed the development, noting that easier access will allow them to transport produce more efficiently and engage in economic activities without interruption.
The Nyakarambi-Kagondo bridge forms part of UPDF’s broader civil military cooperation efforts aimed at supporting local communities through small but critical infrastructure interventions that improve everyday life.
Community members have expressed appreciation to the UPDF describing the bridge as a timely intervention that restores dignity, safety and connection for residents on both sides.