Last week, residents of Amanang and Chepkwasita sub-counties joined effort and started building Sosho bridge where over eight people have survived drowning. Government allocated Shs30 million for Bukwo District under the road fund to construct the bridges.
Named as one of the poorest districts of Uganda, Bukwo District has also been called the most corrupt. Residents in the area have resorted to building makeshift bridges to reduce the number of drowning victims despite government sending money under the road fund. Leaders have thrown in towel against corruption in the area.
Locals in Bukwo start constructing own bridges as corruption ravages district
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However, after months in which the district failed to work on them, residents have come together to get the job done with locally available materials.
According to a resident, Moses Chelimo, they are subjected to a life of misery that as an area that supports the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM) shouldn't be facing.
“When it’s raining we can’t cross either side because the bridge becomes flooded so since nobody bothers about us we have to take our own initiative to build the bridge," Chelimo said.
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Joel Cherop another resident said that the district has turned a deaf ear to the risk the shabby bridges pose while keeping an eye on the money that is sent for renovation and construction.
“What we have learnt is that the district officials keep on making requisition for money working on the bridge but when the money comes they use it for their own private activities,” he said.
'Most corrupt district'
The Resident District Commissioner Bukwo, Samuel Hashaka Mpimbaza, has lamented his administration in the area, sympathising with locals who suffer while a few divert funds intended for public use.
“Of all the districts that I have worked as RDC Bukwo is the most corrupt district,” he said.
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According to the Anti-Corruption monitor for Bukwo District, Josylin Chemutai, the District legislators have done nothing to support the fight against corruption leaving it to the RDC and District chairperson to struggle.
“Other districts are doing well but when it comes to us in Bukwo we are zero apart from civil servants,” She said.
Newly posted Chief Administrative Officer of Bukwo, Jimmy Lowor, said that he is still getting acquainted with the area but promised to attend to all government-funded projects.
