The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is procuring contractors for the reconstruction of Kanungu bridges that have outlived their lifespan.

About sh15b is to be spent on reconstruction of Mitano Bridge on Rukungiri-Kanungu road, Ntungwe Bridge on Ishasha-Katunguru road and Birara Bridge on Rukungiri-Birara-Kanungu road.

UNRA spokesperson Dan Alinange said the bridges were severely damaged and collapsed early this year because of heavy rains and old age.

Mitano Bridge was constructed in 1962 and Ntungwe in the 1950s, so both bridges need reconstruction.

The bridges are also often used by heavy traffic heading to the DR Congo.

"Old age, overloaded cargo trucks and vandalism have resulted into bridge failures in most parts of the country," said Alinange.

He added that in April, Ntungwe Bridge collapsed and four weeks later, Mitano Bridge also collapsed, making transport difficult.

"Bridges built decades ago cannot accommodate overloaded cargo trucks," Alinange noted.