Residents in Kitagwenda district have voiced deep frustrations over sub-standard infrastructure.
Concerned residents cited incidents of local bridges and roads facing acute backlash over shoddy workmanship involving newly built 40 million Shilling Nyaruhanda Bridge in Kabujogera town council.
Another bridge which was constructed and commissioned recently but has already collapsed is Rutoma-Buhumuriro Bridge connecting Rwenjaza-Kanara worth millions of shillings.
Residents who preferred anonymityaccuse local contractors of using weak concrete mixes, rusty or undersized iron bars, and old culverts.
Structures especially at Nyaruhanda Bridge have developed deep cracks before heavy seasonal rains start.
Communities are demanding the intervention of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Ministry of Works to investigate missing or mismanaged funds.
Gerald Natamba the LC3 chairperson Rwenjaza Sub County faulted the technical team led by the district engineer Francis Timanywa over repeated shoddy work on the bridge and failure to consider their advice.
When contacted over the matter, engineer Francis Timanywa did not respond to our repeated calls.
A section of residents have already considered petitioning minister of local government Balaam Barugahara to intervene and save the district.
Kitagwenda would arguably deserve particular attention because the district has previously faced documented financial and accountability controversies.
In 2021, it was reported that the district’s Chief Finance Officer was interdicted after failing to account for funds, including more than Shs300 million connected to projects and other district activities.
Even more significantly, CID investigated allegations concerning Shs200 million meant for maintenance of a one-kilometre tarmac road in Kitagwenda Town Council during the 2020/21 financial year. The investigation sought accountability records from senior district officials.
And Kitagwenda has had a more recent corruption-related case: its former district chairperson, Ismail Mushemeza, was arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit in 2025 over allegations involving the sale of non-existent district jobs. He was subsequently charged and remanded.
These matters do not mean that current Kitagwenda officials are culpable.
But they demonstrate why an inspection of the district could reasonably look beyond personalities and examine whether previous accountability problems have been permanently resolved.