According to Kitgum District Chairperson, Arwai Christopher Obol, the project faced major setbacks, one of which was the suspension of USAID funding earlier this year, following policy changes by U.S. President Donald Trump after assuming office.
Kitgum District Local Government, in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government and other stakeholders, has announced May 29, 2025, as the official opening date of the Lanyadyang Bridge. The 1.2 billion shilling project was funded by USAID through the Northern Uganda Development Initiative to Enhance Livelihoods (NUDIEL).
The bridge was initially scheduled for commissioning in February 2025, but the event was delayed due to several challenges, including the temporary suspension of USAID-funded projects. According to Kitgum District Chairperson, Arwai Christopher Obol, the project faced major setbacks, one of which was the suspension of USAID funding earlier this year, following policy changes by U.S. President Donald Trump after assuming office.
Construction of the bridge, implemented by Strakon Uganda Limited, began in September 2023 and was originally expected to take six months. However, the timeline was extended multiple times due to logistical and financial challenges. After prolonged delays and extensive consultations with the Ministry of Local Government, NUDIEL, and other stakeholders, a new commissioning date has been confirmed.
The Lanyadyang Bridge will connect Kitgum and Pader districts, improving access to markets, healthcare, and education facilities. Chairperson Arwai described the bridge as a transformative development for the two districts. “The official opening of the Lanyadyang Bridge marks a new chapter in the development of Kitgum and Pader,” he said. “As local leaders, we are optimistic about the bridge’s potential to enhance economic growth and social welfare. The districts are poised to experience significant development through improved connectivity.”
Local communities have welcomed the news. Nancy Lalweny, a resident of Labongo Amida West Sub-county, said the bridge will ease access for farmers who cultivate land on either side of the stream. “We used to travel long distances to reach our gardens when the stream flooded, but that will be history with this new bridge,” she said. She added that the bridge would help boost economic activities and strengthen social ties between communities in Kitgum and Pader.
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Opoka Denis
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