By Okidi Patrick
OTUKE, UGANDA | November 1, 2025 Otuke County Member of Parliament, Hon. Paul Omara, brought an urgent disaster declaration before the 11th Parliament during plenary, highlighting the catastrophic failure of three critical bridges in Northern Uganda due to recent heavy rains and flooding. The collapse has severed vital inter-district road connections, warranting immediate action from the government.
During a parliamentary session on October 30, 2025, the legislator—who is also the NRM flag bearer for the upcoming general election—detailed the severe flooding impacting Otuke and Alebtong Districts, warning that the damage has not only isolated communities but also halted essential cross-boundary commerce.
The three critical lifelines that have been washed out or rendered impassable by the deluge are:
Kaguta Bridge: A vital link connecting Otuke to Lira District.
Apak Bridge: A primary connection linking Otuke with Alebtong District.
Orik Bridge: An essential access point toward Agago District, serving as a gateway to the Acholi and Karamoja regions.
Isolation and Famine Threat
Omara emphasized the immediate and far-reaching consequences of the infrastructure failure, stressing that the situation is rapidly evolving from a logistics crisis into a humanitarian one.
“These floods have severely limited access to my constituency from Lira, Alebtong, and the Karamoja direction,” Omara stated. He further issued a grave warning regarding the agricultural impact, noting that widespread submerged crops near the bridges could lead to starvation among affected communities if relief is not urgently dispatched.
The immediate cessation of traffic means that “inter cross businesses taking place” have completely stopped, crippling local economies dependent on these routes.
Minister of Works Directed to Act
Following the MP’s passionate submission, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa promptly directed the Minister of Works and Transport to provide a comprehensive response and plan of action.
General Katumba Wamala, the Works Minister, acknowledged the severity of the issue and committed the Ministry to taking remedial action. However, the Minister noted that full repairs and reconstruction can only commence once the floodwaters sufficiently recede, allowing engineers safe access to the damaged sites.
The timely intervention by MP Omara has reinforced his reputation as an active and responsive representative in the lead-up to the general elections, with constituents expressing continued confidence in his leadership amidst the natural disaster.
This local emergency reflects broader national concerns among Ugandan legislators regarding the deteriorating state and extreme vulnerability of the country’s road infrastructure to increasingly severe weather events driven by climate change.
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