Rehabilitation work on the strategically important Ulindi Bridge on National Road 31 (RN31) in Maniema province is now scheduled, a move expected to significantly boost agricultural and commercial trade in the region.
The announcement was made on November 4, 2025, in Kindu by Matthieu Kamulete Amisi, interim provincial coordinator of the Inclusive and Resilient Rural Development Support Program (PADRIR), during the second Conference on Mines, Energy and Infrastructure.
Amisi confirmed that the necessary funding for the project has been secured from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). While the total cost was not disclosed, technical studies are slated to begin in 2026, with rehabilitation work on the bridge expected to start in 2027.
The Ulindi Bridge, located between the towns of Kailo and Punia, is a key transport link for the province. Its restoration will reopen the RN31 to full traffic, connecting Kindu with major cities such as Kisangani, Goma, and Bukavu, and improving access to National Roads 1 and 2.
The project aims to ease the transport of farm goods and improve mobility for local residents. It is part of the PADRIR program, which seeks to strengthen road infrastructure, support regional economic growth, and improve market access in rural areas.
Boaz Kabeya
