Bukimbiri County MP Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu has asked the government to deploy police and Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) helicopters to provide emergency transport between Kisoro Municipality and Bukimbiri County following the collapse of River Mucha Bridge.

Kwizera's appeal comes amid growing concern among tourism operators and local communities over the deteriorating condition of the Karengyere-Nyanamo-Rubuguri-Rushaga-Nkuringo road, which has been serving as an alternative route since the Kisoro-Bukimbiri road was cut off.

Raising the matter in Parliament under matters of national importance, Kwizera said the poor state of the alternative road was worsening transport difficulties for residents and threatening tourism activities in the area.

"Despite local communities signing memoranda of understanding and other agreements with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and tourism agencies, there had been no satisfactory response to their concerns since the bridge collapsed last Friday," Kwizera said.

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He asked Parliament, through Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth, to engage the Ministry of Works and Transport and relevant security agencies on deploying helicopters to Kisoro to facilitate emergency transport to Bukimbiri.

He said the arrangement would particularly help tourists travelling to the gorilla-tracking destinations of Rushaga and Nkuringo, which depend on road access through the affected area.

Kwizera argued that Uganda's prevailing peace and security situation made the proposed emergency arrangement feasible, given Bukimbiri's importance as a tourism destination.

In response, the Speaker called on Minister of State for Transport Julius Maganda Wandera to address the concerns and explain the government's plans to restore access to affected communities.

Wandera acknowledged the challenges facing residents and other road users, saying the government would pursue a temporary solution as engineers work on plans for a modern bridge.

"A temporary bridge will be constructed as government works towards developing plans for a permanent structure as soon as possible," Wandera said.

The minister also commended Kwizera for engaging ministry officials, particularly those at the regional offices in Kabale, and for working with the ministry on issues affecting his constituency.

However, Wandera did not clarify whether the proposed deployment of helicopters would be implemented.