Parliament backs merger of UNRA and Ministry of Works to streamline operations

Members of Parliament on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure have recommended that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Uganda Road Fund be reintegrated into the Ministry of Works and Transport. This proposal, aimed at reducing administrative costs and enhancing efficiency, aligns with a recent government policy shift.

In a report presented to Parliament, the MPs acknowledged the achievements of UNRA since its establishment, including the upgrading and maintenance of national roads, improvements in road safety, and overall development of road infrastructure. However, they noted the government’s strategic decision to streamline operations by eliminating duplicated functions between UNRA and the Ministry of Works and Transport, with the goal of improving accountability and optimizing resource use.

The amendment bill presented to Parliament proposes transferring all functions of UNRA back to the Ministry of Works. According to the bill, the growth of independent agencies has led to mandate overlaps, jurisdictional conflicts, and high administrative costs, which have strained the national treasury and affected service delivery. “This has overstretched the government’s capacity to sustain them,” the bill’s preamble states, adding that the substantial salary disparities between agency employees and traditional civil service staff have demotivated public service personnel.

The bill also outlines plans to compensate former UNRA employees, with provisions for integrating qualified staff into roles within the Ministry.

In addition, the MPs recommended bringing the Uganda Road Fund under the Ministry responsible for road infrastructure. However, they emphasized that the Ministry of Works and Transport must ensure that sufficient funds for road maintenance are provided to local governments nationwide to support infrastructure upkeep at the grassroots level.

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