Embattled Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, on Wednesday launched a new ultra modern 525-metre long bridge, along the River Nile, in the southern town of Jinja.
According to the President, who has come under immense criticism in recent times, the bridge signifies a season of big projects in Uganda.
The $112m (£85m) cable-stayed bridge was funded by a loan from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency. It is the second of its kind in East Africa after Tanzania’s 680m-long Kigamboni Bridge, which was commissioned a fortnight ago.
“This project shows the support and success of the NRM government towards development.” Museveni said during the launch.
He revealed that the bridge had been constructed within the stipulated time of 48 months and within the set budget.
I have been informed that 67% of the technical staff were Ugandan engineers. The project has been completed within the cost, budget and almost the time framework of 48 months. I want to thank the contractors for successfully completing the project. pic.twitter.com/dih63NwfRD
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) October 17, 2018
The business community in Jinja is optimistic that the new cable-stayed bridge at the Source of the Nile will boost tourism and improve the public image of the former industrial hub.
Samuel Muhoozi, the Director of Roads and Bridges at Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), said the bridge could become a major tourist attraction.
“One of the aims of constructing this bridge was enhancing tourism with the addition of this iconic signature bridge in this picturesque location,” he was quoted by the state-linked New Vision newspaper as saying.
I decided to see what the bridge looks like at night. I drove on it this evening. It is a spectacular sight. I thank all stakeholders involved in its construction; the Ministry of Works, @UNRA_UG and the contractor and consultant for the job well done. pic.twitter.com/SMQEWOz6l9
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) October 17, 2018
The bridge is expected to have a life span of 120 years.
According to Dr Hiroshi Akiyama, a Zenitaka engineer, the stay cables hold and hang the girder and support both human and vehicle traffic weight.
The super-structure is protected against lightning with lightning arrestors, which run from the deck to each tip of the inverted-Y pylon towers.
Transport Minister Monica Azuba, during an on-spot inspection last Friday, marveled at was she called an architectural and engineering wonder.