Ugandan Politician Gets Netizens Talking After Launching Improvised Wooden Bridge He Constructed

• Protazio Begumisa united East Africans on X (previously known as Twitter) after sending a tweet celebrating an improvised bridge whose renovation he funded
• Constituting a majority of the debaters online were naysayers who questioned the state of the bridge and its ability to withstand pressure from floodwaters
• A small chunk, however, sided with Begumisa, arguing that he took it upon himself to help the locals of his volition, given that they did not elect him

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

A politician from Kenya's western neighbour availed himself as fodder for discussion online after proudly posting at a makeshift bridge he funded.

Protazio Begumisa, a one-time aspirant of Ndorwa East in Western Uganda, seemed to be taking pride in the wooden bridge labelled Rubira, which he suggested was long overdue for the locals who had had difficulty traversing their locality in the wake of the heavy rains.

In the company of three Ndorwa locals, and with his thumbs up connoting satisfaction, Begumisa shared the development on X (previously Twitter).

"People in Ndorwa East can now use the Rubira bridge which I recently repaired," he posted.

Owing to its contents, the tweet would end up as an explosive one in Begumisa's normally dormant timeline.

How Ugandan politician caused frenzy on X

It attracted close to 5,000 reactions, over 3,000 reposts and 3,000 commentaries.

A majority castigated the politicians for taking pride in what they suggested was an outdated structure disguised as a bridge.

They doubted the bridge would withstand the pressure of floodwaters and remain usable.

Kenyans found themselves partaking in the debate, making jest out of the post by their fellow East African.

A good number employed sarcasm to laugh at the neighbour.

Below are some reactions;

Begumisa would, however, have paltry tweeps defending him.

They argued that, given that he is not the area's elected leader, little should have been expected of him.

He flunked the Ndorwa East MP race during the Ugandan 2021 general election.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a commissioner at the Ugandan Revenue Authority's Internal Audit and Compliance department.

Eric Omondi builds Kisii bridge

Back home, comic Eric Omondi warmed hearts after taking it upon himself to put up a bridge in Kisii.

Omondi had promised to construct a new bridge to replace the dangerous, rickety old one on which a young school-going girl was spotted struggling along its beam.

A video of the girl having difficulty at the crossing point sparked outrage among netizens, who feared for her life while blaming the local leaders for neglecting it.

Moved, the foregoing comedian launched a fundraiser and began constructing a new bridge for the locals.

He replaced the old precarious bridge with a sturdier one.

He shared the news on his Instagram, along with a video of the new bridge made of metal plates and strong railings, supported sideways by concrete blocks and stones.

The bridge was labelled 'Baby Kemunto Bridge', being after the young girl who inspired the project.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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Protazio Begumisa with some locals from his locality.

Ugandan Politician Gets Netizens Talking after Launching Improvised

(220108) -- WAKISO, Jan. 8, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala