Residents of Lugoba-Kazinga in Nansana Municipality have clashed over the demolition of a community-funded bridge, with some blaming it for worsening floods while others warn that its destruction will disrupt movement.
Tensions have erupted among residents of Lugoba-Kazinga in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, following the demolition of a community-funded bridge by a section of residents who reportedly blamed the structure for worsening flooding in the area.
The demolition sparked confrontations, with some residents accusing their neighbours of destroying infrastructure built through community contributions to improve access across a drainage channel.
According to residents, the dispute began when they found some of their neighbours using spades and hammers to demolish the bridge.
“We were shocked to find our own neighbours demolishing a bridge that we contributed money to construct. This bridge has been helping us cross the drainage channel, and now they have destroyed it without considering how other residents will be affected,” one resident said.
Another resident argued that demolishing the bridge would not provide a lasting solution to the flooding problem.
“If there is a problem with flooding, we should sit down together and find a solution. Destroying the bridge will not stop the floods. Instead, it will make movement difficult, especially for children and elderly people,” the resident said.
The area's Defence Secretary, Joseph Kizito, condemned the demolition, warning that it would disrupt movement within the community.
“This bridge has been serving the community, and destroying it is going to affect many people who depend on it. Residents should learn to resolve their disagreements through dialogue instead of taking the law into their own hands,” Kizito said.
Former Nansana Municipality Deputy Mayor Isaac Keith Ssali, who was among those who spearheaded the bridge's construction, also criticised the demolition, urging residents to focus on clearing blocked drainage channels rather than destroying infrastructure.
“The solution to flooding is not demolishing bridges. What residents should be doing is clearing drainage channels to allow water to flow freely. Destroying infrastructure that people sacrificed their money to construct will only create more problems,” Ssali said.
Ssali called for unity and collective responsibility in addressing drainage challenges in the community.
The incident has highlighted disagreements among residents over how to tackle flooding in Lugoba-Kazinga, with calls for a lasting solution that addresses drainage problems while protecting community-funded infrastructure.