Parliament has passed amendments dissolving the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Uganda Road Fund. Their functions will now fall directly under the Ministry of Works and Transport.
This decision, finalized on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, saw Parliament, led by Speaker Anita Among, approve the Uganda Road Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Uganda National Roads Authority (Amendment) Bill 2024.
The move aligns with a 2021 government policy focused on rationalization—reducing duplicate functions and cutting government spending while upholding service quality.
Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister for Works and Transport, endorsed the decision, calling the creation of agencies “ill-advised.” He suggested that the initial intent was to weaken central government oversight. “Now that government has woken up, you are going to hold us accountable, and we will deliver,” he stated, assuring Parliament that the Ministry would absorb UNRA staff, with no job losses expected.
“We are not creating unemployment; we will validate all UNRA workers and welcome those willing to work under the public service arrangement,” Wamala added, emphasizing a smooth transition.
State Minister for Works Hon. Musa Ecweru affirmed that local government road oversight will continue, noting that District Road Committees, previously managed by the Uganda Road Fund, will remain operational.
Hon. Dan Kimosho, Chair of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, highlighted the need for financial support to local governments to sustain road maintenance, cautioning that the spread of Road Fund functions across various agencies could impede efficiency.
According to Kimosho, the dissolution is expected to yield savings of approximately Shs3.8 billion in administrative expenses and Shs2.6 billion in wages, while over Shs395 billion in road maintenance funds will be absorbed into the Ministry’s budget.
He advised thorough reviews of ongoing UNRA projects, warning that contracts might contain restrictive clauses that bind them to UNRA as the implementing agency. Notably, the committee flagged the African Development Bank loan for the Laropi-Moyo-Afoji and Katuna-Muko-Kamuganguzi roads, underscoring the need for careful handling to avoid costly suspensions.
The committee recommended a three-year transition period to integrate UNRA’s operations within the Ministry, allowing a smooth transfer of responsibilities, minimizing disruption, and ensuring continued progress on critical road projects.
The dissolution of UNRA and the Uganda Road Fund is expected to bolster oversight, reduce costs, and consolidate resources within the Ministry of Works and Transport. With assurances from the Ministry on maintaining employment and continuity of services, the government aims for minimal disruption as it undertakes this significant restructuring in Uganda’s road management and infrastructure development.
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