The collapse of the Agwar Bridge in 2019 inflicted ongoing hardship on residents of Alito and Aleka sub-counties in Oyam and Kole districts. Situated at the Kole-Oyam border, approximately five kilometers from Alito Sub-county headquarters, the bridge’s demise has severed crucial connections to social services, significantly impacting the lives of locals.
Since its collapse, pupils attending Agoma Primary School, farmers, and traders have encountered significant challenges due to connectivity issues exacerbated by the bridge’s absence. The collapse, attributed to heavy rains in 2019, continues to impede daily commutes, leading to job losses, decreased incomes, and financial strains for those reliant on the bridge for work.
Tom Olet, Alito LC3 chairman, emphasized the adverse effects on local businesses and communities, highlighting the financial constraints hindering bridge repair efforts. Despite receiving a modest sum of Shs17.1 million from the Uganda Road Fund for road maintenance, the magnitude of required repairs exceeds available resources, with estimates exceeding Shs400 million for major reconstruction.
In the absence of a functioning bridge, residents have resorted to longer, costlier routes, exacerbating transportation expenses for businesses and individuals alike. Dicken Ocere, a teacher at Aleka Primary School, stressed the potential profitability repercussions for businesses, citing increased transportation costs that could necessitate price hikes for goods and services.
Furthermore, Sarah Opio, a resident of Alito Sub-county, lamented the financial and temporal toll of utilizing longer routes, particularly concerning healthcare access, exemplified by increased costs and time constraints in reaching Lira Regional Referral Hospital.
Bonney Okello echoed these sentiments, noting the adverse impact on farmers unable to transport goods to Lira City, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen.
Beyond economic implications, cultural leaders and social workers underscored the bridge collapse’s broader social ramifications. Bonny Ayo Lomo, representing the Bakocol Clan, highlighted the profound sense of isolation and loss of social and cultural interactions experienced by communities on both sides of the bridge.
The collapse has also hindered access to essential services such as healthcare and education, significantly affecting community well-being. District chairman Moses Andrew Awany acknowledged the road’s importance, emphasizing the need for adequate funding to address critical infrastructure gaps.
In an area heavily reliant on agriculture, the collapse obstructs economic activities crucial for livelihoods. To harness the agricultural potential fully, community members stress the urgency of establishing a robust road network facilitating the transportation of goods to market.
As efforts continue to address the bridge collapse, residents and authorities grapple with the enduring challenges, underscoring the imperative of timely and comprehensive interventions to restore vital connections and support local economies.
