NYAGATARE - A bridge on a feeder road linking Nyagatare district and Ugandan districts of Ntungamo and Kabale, which was washed away following Tuesday’s evening heavy downpour, has brought the busy cross-border trade to a standstill.

According to traders, the road was in a bad condition but passable before, however, after the rains, it was completely destroyed.

"It has always been difficult to cross this bridge with vehicles…but the situation became worse after Tuesday’s heavy downpour,” one of the truck drivers said in an interview.

The route is normally used by traders who deal in agricultural produce.

When The New Times visited the bridge on Wednesday morning, only local traders with bicycles could cross the bridge.

"I am transporting onions to Nyagatare market but its only people with bicycles who can cross here. Vehicles have been grounded by this broken part of the feeder road,” a Ugandan local trader said.

By press time, Nyagatare district director of infrastructure, Phillip Mutarambirwa could not be reached for comment as his cellular phone was switched off.

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