Angry Bugri youth block road after mother, baby die at collapsed bridge

Angry youth in Bugri, a community in the Tempane Constituency of the Upper East Region, have destroyed portions of a collapsed bridge and blocked the adjoining road following the deaths of a mother and her two-month-old baby at the dangerous crossing on Sunday.

The latest incident has heightened growing frustration among residents over the deteriorating condition of the bridge, which they say has become a death trap for commuters, particularly during the rainy season.

According to information available from local reports, the tragedy brings to three the number of people who have reportedly lost their lives at the crossing within just three weeks. A man is said to have drowned at the same spot previously.

The youth, angered by what they consider prolonged neglect of the dangerous crossing, have vowed to keep the road blocked until authorities intervene and provide a safe and permanent alternative.

Their action has effectively disrupted movement along the route, with residents and other road users facing difficulties accessing neighbouring communities.

The latest deaths come against the backdrop of longstanding concerns over the state of roads and bridges in the Tempane area. In September 2025, reports indicated that heavy rains had destroyed key bridges linking Bugri, Wariyanga, Akara, Tempane and Garu, cutting several communities off from vital services. Residents at the time raised concerns about access to healthcare, education and markets.

The situation has also previously affected healthcare delivery in the area. Residents have reported cases in which pregnant women and other patients have struggled to cross damaged bridges to reach health facilities, highlighting the potentially life-threatening consequences of the poor road infrastructure.

Bugri and surrounding communities have a history of suffering severe disruptions during periods of heavy rainfall. In 2021, flooding linked to the Tamne Irrigation Dam submerged farmlands and washed away major roads connecting communities including Bugri, Basyonde, Tempane and other parts of the area.

More recently, an August 2026 report highlighted the continued dangers faced by Bugri residents attempting to cross the collapsed bridge, warning that even a single misstep could have fatal consequences.

The community’s latest protest therefore reflects a broader demand for urgent and lasting intervention rather than temporary measures.

The youth insist that they will not reopen the road until the authorities provide a safe crossing capable of protecting residents from further loss of life.

They are calling on the government, the Tempane District Assembly and other relevant agencies to urgently address the situation and restore safe road connectivity to the affected communities.

For residents, the deaths of the mother and her infant have turned an already dangerous infrastructure problem into an emergency, with calls growing for authorities to act before another tragedy occurs.

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