Mbarara City authorities on the spot over Shs360m Katete bridge rehabilitation

Pressure is mounting on the leaders of Mbarara City as traders and locals demand accountability for the shs366 million allocated for the rehabilitation of Katete Bridge.

The controversy has led to parts of the bridge being vandalized by unknown individuals, and some residents have petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate how the funds were spent.

"We have written a petition to security and the IGG. We want them to expedite thorough investigation into how the shs 366million was used, "MC Moxy the lead Petitioner.

The rehabilitation of Katete Bridge, which connects Mbarara City’s business district to Katete Town and parts of Isingiro District, remains contentious.

Barely two days after the bridge was reopened for traffic, sections began weakening, and some areas were vandalized by unidentified individuals.

"If you ask me what vandalized this bridge I may not give you an answer but may as they say there is a hippopotamus in this river, it could be the one that brought parts of this bridge down because it could have also seen shoddy work," Muhammad Byansi, a Mbarara city councilor said.

Byansi noted public frustration over the bridge’s condition and questioned why vehicles were restricted from using it after renovation.

Many locals  are demanding answers about how the allocated funds were utilized.

"If all vehicles were passing on this bridge before it's renovation, they why now when the bridge is rehabilitated even on that huge amount they claim," Byansi asked.

The bridge that connects Mbarara city to Katete town had been closed for almost 10 months before it's renovation by the UPDF engineering brigade at a tune of shs366 million.

"I have been seeing this bridge being renovated. They used 86 pieces of wood and 32 iron plates plus nuts. We want to ask the UPDF and Mayor Kakyebezi whether these cost shs366 million," Hajji Kawesa Mukasa, a resident of  Katete town said.

Some traders in Mbarara have since petitioned the IGG and President Museveni, calling for  an investigation into the alleged mismanagement and calling for those responsible to face justice.

"We have taken our petition to the IGG and we want to write to the president asking them to launch thorough investigation into this corruption."

"We want the mayor Kakyebezi, City Clerk  and UPDF engineering brigade to give us accountability on how they spent the shs366 million on such a bridge,"Rajab  Sansa one of the petitioners said.

Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi declined to respond to these accusations but he warned those vandalizing the bridge that they would be arrested.

However traders have now issued a seven-day ultimatum, demanding accountability from city leaders and warning that failure to do so could lead to public action.

"We are giving them only seven  days ultimatum to give us accountability on this Katete bridge or we shall mobilize people and put city Council under lock and key until President Museveni intervenes into this public funds mismanagement," Omax Mayanja said.