Initial discussions about merging staff into parent ministries have been dispelled, as it has been revealed that all employees of the dissolved Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) are effectively out of jobs.
On December 23, General Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, informed UNRA staff in a statement that their employment ended with the gazette of the Uganda National Roads Authority (Repeal) Act.
He instructed staff to return office and government property by December 30, 2024, in accordance with the Act.
The minister reassured staff that their terminal benefits would be processed after verification. He stated, “The Ministry of Works and Transport is verifying and will process payment of your terminal benefits based on the terms and conditions of your service.”
This move follows the repeal of the UNRA Act by Parliament on November 6, 2024, and President Museveni’s assent to the law on December 18. The dissolution was formalized through a gazette notice on December 23.
UNRA, established in 2006, played a crucial role in modernizing Uganda’s road network, overseeing major projects like the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway. Under Executive Director Allen Kagina’s leadership since 2015, the agency has made significant progress in expanding and maintaining key road infrastructure.
With UNRA’s dissolution, the Ministry of Works and Transport will now take full responsibility for managing the country’s road network. This restructuring is expected to streamline operations and reduce redundancies within government agencies.
As the transition proceeds, Gen Katumba emphasized the importance of a smooth handover to ensure the continued development of Uganda’s road network.
On the same day, Ms. Kagina announced her decision to retire the UNRA Executive Director’s X handle after nearly a decade of leadership.
