The Minister for Local Government Balaam Ateenyi has raised concerns over the loss of public funds following the collapse of several bridges in Bundibugyo District, questioning how much taxpayers have lost through poor workmanship and inadequate supervision.
Ateenyi said he was shocked after visiting the remains of Tokwe Bridge in Bundibugyo, which he said had reportedly been constructed at a cost of Sh350 million.
According to the minister, the bridge collapsed before it could be commissioned and was found without basic steel reinforcement, raising questions about the quality of materials and construction standards used on the project.
“Yesterday in Bundibugyo, I saw the shocking remains of Tokwe Bridge,” Ateenyi said, noting that the incident was not an isolated case.
He claimed that more than five bridges in the district had been washed away, prompting him to question the amount of public money that may have been lost in infrastructure projects that failed to serve their intended purpose.
The minister linked the challenges to corruption, weak supervision and shoddy workmanship, saying such practices undermine government efforts to provide essential infrastructure and services to citizens.
Ateenyi argued that while the government allocates resources for development projects, failures in implementation can prevent communities from benefiting from the funds invested.
He called for investigations into the construction of the affected bridges and demanded that officials and contractors involved in the projects account for their roles.
The minister questioned who designed, supervised and certified the works, as well as who approved the payments and ultimately benefited from the projects.
He said Uganda must establish the facts, recover any public funds lost through malpractice and ensure that those responsible face accountability.
Ateenyi further warned individuals who may have misappropriated money intended for bridge construction, declaring that the government should adopt a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.
“The era of eating public funds is over,” he said, while calling for greater value for money and improved service delivery.
The minister maintained that public infrastructure should be built to serve Ugandans effectively, as concerns over failed projects continue to raise questions about accountability in the management of public resources.