USAID, Uganda commission Shs1.2B Lanyadyang Bridge in Kitgum

2 June 2025, 4:42 pm

By Otim Moses

The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with Uganda’s Ministry of Local Government, officially commissioned the construction of the Lanyadyang Bridge on Thursday.

The bridge is located in Owayo Binen central village, Wii Gweng parish, Amida west subcounty, Kitgum district, and is valued at Shs1.2 billion.

Construction of the bridge began in September 2023 under the Northern Uganda Development of Enhanced Local Governance, Infrastructure, and Livelihoods (NUDEIL) program. Launched in 2011, NUDEIL aims to support safety, security, and economic opportunity in local communities.

Kitgum District Chairperson, Arwai Christopher Obol, stated that the bridge will significantly improve transportation for local farmers, enabling trade between Kitgum and Pader districts. He also emphasised its importance in enhancing access to health services, especially for pregnant women.

Obol appealed to USAID, through its Mission Director, Daniele Nyirandutiye, for continued support to ensure the sustainability and local monitoring of the project.

Pader District Vice Chairperson and Secretary for Health, Hon. Justine Ocen, stressed the need for community responsibility in maximising the bridge’s benefits. He urged stakeholders to mobilise residents to utilise the bridge not only for motorbike transport or photography but also for farming, business, and trade.

Kitgum Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Ebil Jimmy Ssegawa, noted the region’s transformation over the past 25 years. He recalled a time when parts of Kitgum and northern Uganda were impassable due to insecurity and credited the government’s efforts for restoring peace and improving infrastructure.

Speaking during the commissioning, Ebil encouraged the community to use the bridge as a tool for economic growth and improved access to education, agriculture, and healthcare. He highlighted its role in connecting Kitgum and Pader districts and emphasised responsible use, cautioning against criminal activities or vandalism, such as removing reflectors for home décor. He assured the community of ongoing patrols and awareness campaigns on proper usage.

Sandra Namarome, a representative from the Ministry of Local Government, expressed gratitude to the U.S. Government and USAID for their continued partnership in transforming communities in northern Uganda. She said USAID-supported projects have played a significant role in helping communities recover from the effects of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency.

According to Ms. Namarome, USAID has invested approximately Shs15 billion in northern Uganda since its engagement began, supporting projects such as road construction, borehole drilling, and school infrastructure development.

USAID Mission Director, Daniele Nyirandutiye, highlighted that the Lanyadyang Bridge is one of several infrastructure projects completed across seven districts in northern Uganda—Gulu, Nwoya, Lamwo, Amuru, Kitgum, Omoro, and Oyam. These projects aim to enhance education, transportation, and water supply services.

Since the NUDEIL program’s inception in 2009, USAID has supported the construction and improvement of over 437 kilometers of roads, 617 boreholes, 187 classroom blocks, teacher housing units, and latrines.

Nyirandutiye reaffirmed the strong relationship between the U.S. and Ugandan governments. She noted that the Lanyadyang Bridge symbolises both past achievements and the ongoing partnership for a better future for Ugandan communities.