About shs700m–shs900m is needed from the Ministry of Works and Transport to rehabilitate Orit Bridge, which leads to President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta’s State Lodge.

The bridge borders Lira and Otuke districts in the Lango sub-region.

Eng. Richard Odongo from the Ministry of Works, under the Division of Drainages and Structures, following a letter written by Otuke County Member of Parliament Paul Omara regarding the status of the bridge.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the site, Eng. Odongo said: “It is true that Orit Bridge is in critical condition as a result of heavy rainfall, which has caused challenges especially on the side of Lira district.”

He called on the leaders of Otuke and Lira to collaborate to address this matter, where immediate maintenance is needed on the Lira side.

On the Otuke side, the issue is that when Kaguta Bridge was under construction, Orit Bridge was already completed; therefore, the water level coming from Kaguta Bridge is much bigger than Orit Bridge can accommodate, Eng. Odongo said.

To address this matter, he said a report has already reached the Ministry of Works and Transport. Following his inspection and recommendation, the ministry will construct another box culvert to add capacity for the water coming from Kaguta Bridge.

He noted that all this is happening because Kaguta Bridge is about 30 meters, while Orit is only 20 meters, meaning that river training is needed at Orit to avoid overflowing water.

A standard box cell that this bridge requires can cost about shs350m, and the cost can increase up to about shs700m for a two-cell bridge, which will improve river training and protection.

The project period will take only 6 months, Eng. Odongo revealed.

Jimmy Mark Alany, the Otuke District Engineer, noted that the Otuke district MPs have already pushed for this road in the financial year 2026–2027. He assured residents that at any time now, rehabilitation of the bridge, especially on the Otuke side, will begin.

Meanwhile, Otuke County MP Paul Omara said the bridge helps the local community access markets, health facilities, and schools for young learners.

MP Omara also appreciated the Minister of Works and Transport for responding to the letter by sending a technical team to inspect the site.

MP Omara confirmed that Eng. Odongo has assured them that this infrastructure is under the central government, and any matter related to the construction of bridges needs support from the Ministry of Works and Transport.

However, the district can only support upgrading the road where necessary, and an additional bridge on the Otuke side is needed to allow water to flow freely.

Barjobi town council LC3 chairperson Alex Ojok Ogwal said the bridge links the business community who cross to Agweng market in Lira and Dako Dwong Acungo market in Barjobi.

“It also helps the people of Lira district to access health facilities at Barjobi Health Centre III,” he said, noting that if immediate action is not taken before it causes more issues, they shall close it to ensure that their people are safe.

Some of the residents who raised their voices on this road include Elder Mary Awino, 74, a resident of Apii Oguro village, Otuke district.

“….I am a disabled person, so we disabled people cannot cross the bridge at night,” she said.

Bar Kwogo LC1 chairperson Bonny Okello, Lira district, said what Omara Paul is doing is beyond, but their leaders cannot come to the site and write a report related to this emergency.

Okello said that they are having problems transporting pregnant women to Barjobi Health Centre III for delivery due. He said that a month ago, a woman carrying her children on a bicycle fell, and they were rushed to Barjobi Health Centre for further management.

MP Patrick Ongom Aregedeng of Erute North in Lira district stated that the district is aware of the status. He said in August, he went with a team under social services together with the District Engineer to inspect the bridge, where the District Engineer pledged that Orit bridge could be managed locally, although the challenges were on murram and fuel.

MP Ongom said they visited Orit, Agang Oluro, which connects to Kole district; Akwak, and Akor bridges.