By Ben Ssebuguzi

Kampala: One of the main core business of government is construction of roads which are enablers for trade and communication.

Just in last years budget, UNRA was allocated 2.5 trillion for development finance. Actually, the works ministry is one of the Ministries that takes the lion share of the budget given the critical nature of demand for good roads for Ugandans.

Therefore, you can not advise the Fountain of Honour to remove UNRA an independent body constitutionally established. Who will over see tax payers money of that magnitude for every financial year?Who doesn’t believe in a well structured entity to manage public resources for Ugandans?

UNRA is a fully fledged body that is supposed to over see the implementation of roads to benefit tax payers. They are body with a board to always oversight and guide their operations. Even when you visit them for just an inquiry,you feel like going back tomorrow because they know their customers,the tax payers. That’s the beauty of corporate governance in public service.

In conclusion, it is tax payers who will lose when technocrats go ahead to advise to remove UNRA, because there will be no legal entity to properly use their taxes. Tax payers will miss out on an agency that has very pivotal in construction of strategic roads like the ones of Hoima where exploitation of oil has started. Look at how amazing the Masaka-Bukakata road which used to be a muddy, it is now easing fish trade and access to mainland of Lake Victoria.

Remember that NDP III period, great focus was placed on increasing the stock of paved roads from the current 4,971 km to 7,500 km by 2025.

THANK YOU UNRA. THANK YOU PRESIDENT MUSEVENI FOR ALWAYS USING FORESIGHT.

Ben Ssebuguzi is the SG UPYM and Public awareness and Information dissemination fellow from Public Opinion