Adonia Atuheire | Tayari News
KISORO – Residents in Kisoro District are facing transportation challenges after River Ruhezamyenda flooded and cut off the Kisoro–Rubuguri tourism road, forcing people to cross the flooded section using wooden boats.
The affected area is the bridge on River Ruhezamyenda, which connects Nyundo sub-county and Rubuguri town council in Bukimbiri Constituency. The damage has disrupted the movement of residents, tourists and businesses travelling to and from Rubuguri, and the nearby Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Residents say the situation has forced them to use boats to cross the flooded section, where one must pay approximately 5,000 Uganda shillings to cross or be assisted to cross.across
Mutambuzi Fred, the LC3 Chairperson of Nyundo sub-county, said the flooding of the river separating the area has made it difficult for both locals and tourists to move across the area.
“The river flooded and cut off the road connecting Nyundo and Rubuguri. It has now become difficult for tourists and other travellers to cross, and we call upon the government to intervene quickly,” Mutambuzi said. He added that the problem has prevailed for years, with temporary repairs failing to add up.
“For many years, this place has been repaired using culverts, but whenever the water volume increases, they are washed away. What we need is a permanent and improved bridge,” he explained.
Twesigye Posiano, a teacher in Bukimbiri Sub-County, noted that schools are struggling to access scholastic materials because vehicles cannot cross the river.
“Movement has become very difficult. Cars cannot cross the river, and this has delayed the delivery of scholastic materials to schools in Bukimbiri,” Twesigye said.
Following the flooding, a local community group known as the Nyekundire Group has stepped in to help people cross the river using wooden boats.
Saturday, Aloysius, the group’s leader, said the flooding began earlier this week, cutting off the busy tourism road.
“The flooding started at the beginning of this week and completely cut off the Kisoro–Rubuguri tourism road. As a group, we decided to hire two wooden boats so that people can continue crossing,” he said.
According to Saturday, the group hired the boats for 150,000 shillings each to assist residents and travellers.
Isaac Nsenga, the owner of the boats, confirmed that the boats are hired daily.
“Each day, I am paid about 300,000 shillings for the boats that are helping people cross the flooded area,” Nsenga said.
Community members assisting travellers say each person pays 2,000 shillings to cross, while luggage is charged 3,000 shillings. They estimate that more than 700,000 shillings is collected daily from the crossing fees.
Meanwhile, another alternative tourism road connecting Katojo to Rubuguri has also been cut off by landslides, creating further challenges for tourists travelling to tourism destinations in the area.
Tourists and tour operators say the poor state of roads is making it difficult to reach tourism centres and have appealed to the government for urgent intervention.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Kisoro District, Dan Ndikumwani, described the situation as a disaster and said authorities have already contacted the Ministry of Works and Transport.
“This situation has come as a disaster for the district. We have already contacted the Ministry of Works and Transport so that they can intervene and clear the roads destroyed by landslides,” Ndikumwani said.