Kampala — THE Minister of Works, John Nassasira, has commissioned a sh1.2b bridge over river Birara in Rugyendo sub-county to connect Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.

He was in the area on an inspection tour of bridges and the road network.

Nasasira criticised post-independence governments for poor service delivery and betrayal.

He disclosed that the colonialists had planned to construct the bridge in the 1950s, but the subsequent governments failed to implement the plans.

"What kind of independence was this? What did we do when we got independence?" he asked.

Nasasira also warned the contractor, M&B Engineers, about shoddy work and said the project must be completed in eight months.

"I want this project perfect and finished in time," he said.

Kinkizi East MP Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said the construction of the bridge was timely because many people had lost their lives while trying to cross the river.

"I do not normally cry. But when they enumerated the people who had died, including my relatives, I shed tears," Dr. Baryomunsi said, after women groups sang about those who had drowned in the river.

The locals also reported that most victims who died were women going to cultivate.

They also said some women would drown while carrying their babies on their backs.

Rukungiri district chairperson Zedekiah Karokora cautioned the people against cultivating too close to the river banks saying it would cause soil erosion.