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A gang suspected of terrorising motorcycle riders in Lubowa and Ndejje has been smashed after police arrested five suspects linked to a string of robberies.

The suspects were netted during an intelligence-led operation carried out on March 5 by the Uganda Police Force.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala, the operation started with the arrest of a key suspect in Kyengera Town Council.

During interrogation the suspect reportedly led detectives to other members of the gang.

Police say the criminals are believed to be behind a wave of motorcycle robberies that has hit Lubowa and Ndejje since June 2025.

“One motorcycle registration number UMA 663HM has so far been recovered as an exhibit,” Kawala said.

Investigators say the gang allegedly stole motorcycles before dismantling them and selling the parts in illegal markets.

Preliminary findings show that about 40 motorcycles have been stolen in the affected areas over the past months.

So far police have identified 14 victims who lost their motorcycles to the suspected thieves.

Security agencies have now launched a wider hunt for other suspects believed to be part of the criminal network.

Police say operations will continue until all those involved in the robberies are arrested and the stolen motorcycles recovered

Police in Kampala Metropolitan South have arrested four suspects during security operations targeting cattle thieves and armed robbers in Wakiso district.

According to ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Police Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, the arrests followed joint operations involving police, UPDF soldiers, and local residents.

The first suspect, Zimbwe Ramathan, a resident of Kyengera, was arrested during a security patrol conducted on March 7, 2026 in Kasanje Town Council.

Security teams had moved in after residents complained about a wave of cattle thefts in the area.

During patrols in crime hotspots including Bimbi Swamp, officers recovered a stolen white-spotted heifer.

Police later traced and contacted the animal’s rightful owner.

Ramathan was arrested and is currently detained at Kasanje Police Station where he has been charged with cattle theft.

In another dramatic operation on March 9, 2026 at around 3:30 am, three suspects armed with pangans broke into a home in Kabaale B Ward in Katabi Town Council.

The attackers reportedly robbed the household of Shs 570,000 and a Samsung Galaxy Note 10 smartphone.

However, their escape plan failed after police responded quickly to the alarm and surrounded the house.

When officers searched the residence, they found the suspects hiding inside the ceiling.

The three suspects were immediately arrested.

They have been identified as Sekitoleko Acram, Oluka Robert, and Mbazira Bashir.

Police also recovered the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 phone and Shs 240,000, which is part of the money that had been stolen.

Investigations into the incidents are ongoing as police work to establish whether the suspects are linked to other crimes in the area.

Police have praised residents for working closely with security agencies and providing information that helped track down the suspects.

Zambian music producer and songwriter Chali Bravo Mulalani, known for his magical touch in creating hits that spanned across borders, passed away a few days ago after a brief illness.

His death has left a void not only in Zambia, but across the East African music scene, particularly in Uganda, where he played an instrumental role in shaping some of the biggest hits in recent memory.

Chali Bravo’s legacy in the music industry was defined by his uncanny ability to bring out the best in every artist he worked with. His collaborations with some of Zambia’s brightest stars, including Mampi and Roberto, are a testament to his unmatched talent. But his influence stretched far beyond Zambian borders.

In Uganda, he was behind some of the most iconic songs, including Radio and Weasel’s songs “Potential” and “Take My Heart,” and Allan Toniks’ hit track “Swag Meter.”

His untimely passing has shaken the entire music community, with tributes pouring in from across the continent.

Allan Toniks, who worked closely with Chali on his hit “Swag Meter,” took to Twitter to express his sadness, saying, “He gave us songs like ‘Potential’ by Radio and Weasel, as well as ‘Swag Meter’ by Allan Toniks. Rest in peace, Brother Charlie Mulalami. A very untimely death. May your sounds live on forever.”

For Radio and Weasel, Chali Bravo’s contributions to their music were not just professional, but deeply personal.

The Goodlyfe’s heartfelt messages on their official social media pages reads “We’re deeply sorry to hear about Chali Bravo’s passing. The man who produced our songs like ‘Potential’ and ‘Take My Heart.’ Our hearts go out to the people of Zambia and everyone who knew him. What a huge loss. May his legacy live on through the incredible work he did. RIP Champ Chali.”

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Uganda’s long-awaited oil dream may have hit fresh turbulence after a bombshell audit exposed worrying delays, funding gaps and project setbacks at the country’s powerful oil regulator, raising serious questions about leadership as its founding boss prepares to exit.

A new report from the Office of the Auditor General of Uganda has revealed that critical oil sector projects under the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) are behind schedule, underfunded and struggling to meet strategic targets — even as the country races toward its first oil.

The findings have put the spotlight squarely on Ernest Rubondo, the founding Executive Director of PAU, who is set to step down after nearly a decade at the helm when his second and final term expires this year August 31.

Lynda Biribonwa is PAU board chairperson.

Rubondo, who took office in September 2016, has overseen Uganda’s petroleum regulator during the crucial transition from exploration into the development phase of the country’s massive oil reserves.

But the Auditor General’s latest findings suggest that beneath the optimism surrounding Uganda’s oil future, there are cracks in the system that cannot be ignored.

At the centre of the controversy are delays in the two flagship oil development projects that are supposed to power Uganda into the league of oil-producing nations.

According to the audit, the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil projects — widely regarded as the backbone of Uganda’s petroleum production plans — are lagging behind schedule.

The report reveals that by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year, the Tilenga project had achieved 57.2% progress, while Kingfisher stood at 70% progress, both falling short of the expected 73.18% target.

The revelation has sparked concern among energy experts who fear that delays in such critical projects could ripple through the country’s broader oil production timeline.

One senior analyst familiar with the sector told RedPepper the numbers should not be taken lightly.

“When flagship projects are already trailing targets at this stage, it raises questions about coordination, planning and regulatory oversight,” the analyst observed.

For a country that has spent nearly two decades preparing to pump its first commercial oil, every delay comes with heavy economic consequences.

But the troubling findings do not stop there.

The Auditor General also flagged a worrying spike in the Authority’s payables, which doubled to UGX 2.102 billion, representing a 100 percent increase from the previous financial year.

These outstanding obligations relate largely to consultancy services for highly technical petroleum activities such as reservoir characterization, geological modelling and simulation studies.

Such services are critical in understanding underground oil reserves and guiding extraction plans.

However, the surge in unpaid invoices raises concerns about financial management within the Authority.

The report further highlights significant financial commitments tied up in prepayments and receivables.

Of the UGX 4.410 billion recorded in this category, a staggering UGX 3.896 billion — representing 88.4 percent — relates to outstanding letters of credit connected to the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of equipment for a modern core store facility.

The facility is meant to house and manage crucial petroleum geological samples, but the slow progress in executing these contractual conditions has raised eyebrows among observers.

Meanwhile, the Authority’s human resource capacity is also under scrutiny.

The audit shows that PAU currently has 223 staff members in place out of an approved establishment of 278 positions, meaning nearly one-fifth of key roles remain unfilled.

Staff turnover has also been noted, with 12 employees leaving in the financial year 2024/2025 and 10 exiting in the previous year.

Experts say staffing gaps in such a highly technical sector can affect operational efficiency, oversight capacity and institutional memory.

More troubling is the slow progress on several strategic projects meant to strengthen Uganda’s oil sector infrastructure.

The audit revealed that the National Petroleum Data Repository Infrastructure Project had only reached 40 percent completion against a target of 100 percent by the end of the financial year.

This repository is supposed to serve as the central nerve centre for storing and managing Uganda’s vast petroleum data — the very information that guides exploration, investment decisions and regulatory oversight.

Delays in completing the repository could affect how efficiently critical oil data is accessed and managed.

Another red flag concerns the National Oil Spill Response and Monitoring Infrastructure Project, a three-year initiative meant to protect the environment from potential oil-related disasters.

Shockingly, the project received only UGX 1.2 billion over three years, representing just 2 percent of the required funding, leaving a massive funding gap of UGX 58.7 billion.

Environmental experts say such a funding gap in an oil spill response system could leave the country dangerously exposed if an accident were to occur.

“If an oil spill happens without adequate monitoring and response systems in place, the environmental consequences could be devastating,” a petroleum governance expert warned.

The audit also uncovered major financial constraints affecting the Authority’s broader strategic vision.

PAU’s five-year strategic plan, which ran until June 30, 2025, required UGX 642.430 billion to fully implement.

However, the Authority received only UGX 311.135 billion, meaning the plan was underfunded by a staggering 51.6 percent.

Such a huge funding gap has inevitably slowed the implementation of key sector initiatives.

The report also followed up on a 2016 Value for Money audit on petroleum data management, which originally examined how petroleum information was being collected, stored and disseminated in Uganda.

In this follow-up assessment, auditors noted that the Authority had made some progress.

Out of the twelve recommendations made in the 2016 report, six were fully implemented while six were only partially implemented.

Among the improvements cited were the development of a Compliance Management System (COMS), the establishment of a modern ICT data centre and the development of several guidelines including a revised Data Management Policy (2022).

The Authority has also developed various digital systems including the Crane Database, which integrates exploration well data with GIS geodatabases and the PAU Factsite.

However, despite these advances, auditors noted that some critical weaknesses persist.

The compliance management system meant to track oil companies’ regulatory obligations is only 70 percent complete and not fully operational.

Meanwhile, challenges remain in staffing, compliance monitoring, long-term data backup and the onboarding of all petroleum data into the national system.

The report warns that unless these gaps are urgently addressed, Uganda risks running a complex petroleum sector without the full technological backbone required to safeguard critical national data.

As these revelations emerge, attention is also turning to the leadership transition looming at PAU.

With Ernest Rubondo preparing to leave office, the race to replace him is quietly shaping up.

Sources within the energy sector say several senior figures inside the Authority are eyeing the powerful position.

Among those reportedly interested are Clovice Irumba Bright, the Director for Exploration, and Alex Nyombi, the Director for Development and Production.

However, impeccable sources indicate that the “powers that be” may prefer to bring in an outsider — possibly someone from the wider energy sector rather than promoting from within the Authority.

Such a move, insiders say, could be aimed at injecting fresh oversight into an institution that is now facing growing scrutiny.

“The next Executive Director will inherit both an opportunity and a challenge,” one industry insider said.

“Uganda is closer than ever to first oil, but the systems managing the sector must be airtight.”

The Auditor General’s report ultimately acknowledges that PAU has made progress in improving petroleum data management and strengthening internal controls.

But it also warns that delays in projects, funding shortages and operational gaps must be addressed urgently if Uganda is to fully realise the promise of its oil resources.

With billions of dollars already invested and expectations sky-high, the stakes could not be higher.

As Rubondo prepares to bow out after ten years steering the regulator, the question now echoing through Uganda’s energy corridors is simple: Will the next leadership fix the cracks — or will the oil dream stumble before the first barrel is even pumped?

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Dear Honorable Ministers,

I write to you with deep respect for the difficult responsibility you carry in shaping the future of our nations. For generations, education has been heralded as the great equalizer the ladder through which the poor climb out of poverty and the unemployed find dignified work. Across the Global South, parents sacrifice scarce household income, governments allocate substantial portions of national budgets, and millions of young people dedicate the most productive years of their lives to schooling with the belief that education will unlock economic opportunity.

The widely quoted proverb reminds us that “education is the passport to the future.” Yet, for many in developing countries, the future promised by education increasingly resembles a long queue at the gate of unemployment. When the Seed of Hope Germinates into a Harvest of Frustration.
Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, an unsettling paradox has emerged. Education systems have expanded rapidly over the past three decades, but employment opportunities have not kept pace. As a result, millions of graduates find themselves caught in what can only be described as a development contradiction, educated but unemployed, qualified but economically marginalized. According to recent global labour estimates, more than 259 million young people worldwide are classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training), representing nearly 20% of the global youth population. The vast majority of these young people live in the Global South.

This paradox raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: Is Education Planting, Marinating Poverty and Unemployment in the Global South?

An African idiom captures this dilemma poignantly: “A ladder leaning against the wrong wall will never take you to the right roof.” In many developing countries, education continues to expand, yet the economic structures needed to absorb graduates remain fragile. Consequently, education may be producing aspirations faster than economies can produce opportunities.
Over the past 30 years, the Global South has experienced remarkable progress in expanding access to education. Governments across Africa, Asia, and Latin America have implemented universal primary education programs, expanded secondary schooling, and dramatically increased university enrollment.

International development agencies have also invested heavily in education as a central pillar of poverty reduction strategies. The results are visible. In many developing countries, primary school enrollment now exceeds 90%, and tertiary education enrollment has expanded significantly. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, the number of university students has increased more than tenfold since the early 1990s. Similarly, countries such as India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Mexico have witnessed substantial growth in higher education institutions.

Yet while classrooms have multiplied and graduation ceremonies have become more frequent, labour markets have struggled to keep pace with this educational expansion. Economies that remain dependent on agriculture, informal trade, or low-value industries simply cannot absorb the growing numbers of educated young people entering the workforce each year.
Globally, youth unemployment remains two to three times higher than adult unemployment, and the disparity is particularly pronounced in developing regions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, approximately 82% of workers operate in informal employment, while the figure stands at around 56% in Latin America and 73% in developing Asia. Informal jobs often lack job security, social protection, and income stability, meaning that education does not necessarily translate into improved economic outcomes.

The situation resembles the parable of a farmer who plants more seeds every season without expanding the size of his field. Eventually, the seeds compete for the same limited soil, sunlight, and water. In the same way, expanding education without expanding economic opportunities may simply increase competition for scarce jobs.
The Youth Unemployment Crisis: A Generation Waiting, Perhaps the most visible manifestation of this paradox is the youth unemployment crisis unfolding across the Global South. Africa, home to the world’s youngest population, faces a particularly daunting challenge. By some estimates, over 120 million young Africans will be unemployed or economically inactive by the mid-2030s, representing nearly a quarter of the continent’s youth population.

In some countries the situation has reached alarming proportions. Youth unemployment rates exceed 50% in South Africa, while other African economies report rates ranging between 15% and 25%. Even among those who are employed, many work in precarious or low-productivity jobs that provide little economic security. Asia, despite its impressive economic growth, is not immune to this challenge. Countries such as India and Bangladesh continue to struggle with rising youth unemployment, particularly among university graduates. In China, youth unemployment has fluctuated significantly in recent years, highlighting the pressures created when large numbers of educated young people enter the labour market simultaneously.

Latin America presents a different but equally concerning pattern. Although overall unemployment rates in the region have declined modestly in recent years, nearly half of the workforce remains in informal employment, meaning that millions of educated individuals are unable to secure stable jobs aligned with their qualifications.These realities have produced what many analysts describe as a “generation in limbo” young people who have followed the prescribed path of education yet remain uncertain about their economic future. The idiom “waiting for rain in a drought” aptly describes the experience of many graduates who continue to search for opportunities that never seem to arrive.

Education Systems That Teach for Yesterday’s Economy-One of the fundamental drivers of this paradox lies in the mismatch between education systems and labour market demands. In many developing countries, educational curricula remain heavily theoretical, emphasizing memorization and academic credentials rather than practical skills and problem-solving abilities. Employers frequently report that graduates lack essential competencies such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, teamwork, and critical thinking. As economies become increasingly technology-driven, this skills gap becomes even more pronounced.

Studies across African education systems suggest that more than 80% of students aspire to professional or managerial careers, yet only a small fraction often less than 10% ultimately secure such positions. This mismatch between aspiration and opportunity reflects deeper structural weaknesses within education systems. The problem is not merely academic content but also historical legacy. Many universities in developing countries were originally designed during colonial or early post-independence periods to train civil servants for expanding government bureaucracies. However, as public sector employment shrinks and private sector growth remains uneven, these education systems continue producing graduates for jobs that no longer exist in sufficient numbers.The situation resembles a village blacksmith who continues forging horseshoes long after automobiles have replaced horses. The skill itself remains valuable, but the market has moved on.

The Diploma Disease: Credential Inflation and Underemployment, another emerging phenomenon across the Global South is credential inflation the increasing demand for higher academic qualifications for jobs that previously required lower levels of education.This phenomenon, sometimes called “diploma disease,” occurs when societies place excessive emphasis on academic certificates rather than practical competence. Employers begin to require degrees simply to screen applicants, even when the job itself does not require advanced academic training. As a result, millions of university graduates end up in underemployment, performing work that does not utilize their education. The consequences are profound: Wasted public investment in higher education, Frustration among graduates, Delayed family formation and economic independence and Increased migration pressures.

Indeed, surveys indicate that three out of four young adults in Sub-Saharan Africa work in insecure or informal employment, despite many having completed secondary or tertiary education. The situation mirrors the idiom: “Too many chiefs and not enough warriors.” Societies produce large numbers of graduates seeking professional careers, yet the economy still requires technicians, artisans, and skilled tradespeople.

When Education Delays rather than Defeats Poverty, Education does not inherently create poverty. However, in certain contexts it may delay rather than eliminate the experience of poverty. Young people spend years in educational institutions expecting that their qualifications will eventually lead to employment. When that expectation fails, the transition into the labour market becomes abrupt and disorienting. In many developing countries, graduates remain financially dependent on their families long after completing their studies. Some return to subsistence agriculture or informal trade, while others spend years searching for elusive professional opportunities.

The metaphor of “marination” offers a vivid illustration. When food marinates, it slowly absorbs the surrounding flavors over time. Similarly, when education systems fail to connect with real economic opportunities, students may spend years absorbing theoretical knowledge while unemployment and poverty quietly deepen around them.In such circumstances, education becomes less a pathway out of poverty and more a holding pattern within it.

Reimagining Education as medicine to poverty and unemployment, despite these challenges, it would be misguided to conclude that education itself is the problem. History demonstrates that countries that have successfully escaped poverty such as South Korea, Singapore, and Finland have done so through strong and adaptive education systems aligned with national economic strategies. The real challenge lies in reimagining the role of education in development. Instead of focusing solely on expanding enrollment, policymakers must prioritize relevance, quality, and alignment with labour market needs.

First, education systems from Pre-Primary to University must compulsorily integrate practical technical, vocational education and innovative entrepreneurial skills into curricula with 50% of assessment focused on Number of student /Teachers business startups incubated, Number of businesses accelerated beyond survival stage, Number of innovations developed and prototyped, Number of jobs created by alumni within five years, Amount of revenue generated through school-based enterprises and Number of households or communities lifted out of poverty through student initiatives. Without such metrics, we are measuring the height of the tree while ignoring whether it bears fruit.In an era where traditional employment opportunities may be limited, young people must be equipped to create their own economic opportunities.
Second, stronger partnerships between universities, industries, and governments are essential to ensure that educational programs reflect evolving economic realities. As the proverb wisely reminds us, “knowledge without application is like a tree without fruit.”

My expectation perhaps ambitious, but aligned with the mission of Quality Education Consultancy Ltd(QECL) and OPUL Skilling Foundation Africa (OSFA), whose motto is “Innovative Skilling as Medicine to Extreme Poverty” With long-term ambition to facilitate 20 million business start-ups, Accelerations, Innovations and create 40 million decent jobs by 2035.

In conclusion, from Marination to Transformation, Education can be the sauce that elevates the dish but only when it is nutritious, relevant, and accessible. Without reform, many countries will continue to simmer in cycles of unemployment and exclusion. Through targeted policy action and inclusive economic growth strategies, education can indeed release its transformative potential turning a planted and a marinated problem into a recipe for prosperity.

Dr. Opul Joseph, PhD
Lecturer, Gulu University Uganda-East Africa| Director, Quality Education Consultancy Ltd (QECL) | CEO, OPUL Skilling Foundation Africa (OSFA)
President Elect Rotary Club of Soroti Central | Member, Uganda Red Cross Society
ceo@opulskillingfoundationafrica.org | regionaldirector@qualityeducationconsultancylimited.com
+256-752-999346/+256-772-999346

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Art and culture lovers in Kampala enjoyed a memorable evening over the weekend during a special screening of the documentary Memories of Love Returned.

What many expected to be a simple cinema outing turned into a meaningful cultural gathering where people from different generations came together to celebrate history, love and the legacy of a little-known Ugandan photographer.

The documentary tells a powerful story that began more than two decades ago. In April 2002, a broken-down car in Mbirizi, a town in Masaka, unexpectedly led acclaimed Ugandan-American filmmaker Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine to the home of photographer Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo.

Through his camera, Ssalongo documented life in his community from the late 1950s until his death in 2006. The film captures how Mwine rediscovered the photographer’s remarkable archive and worked over the years to restore and bring those images back to life, preserving an important piece of Uganda’s cultural history.

The themes of rediscovery and cultural pride closely align with the So UG So 60 campaign by Uganda Waragi, which is celebrating 60 years of bringing Ugandans together. The campaign highlights authentic Ugandan stories that reflect identity, heritage and shared experiences.

Speaking about the partnership with the film, Hilda Aguti, Marketing Manager for Uganda Waragi, said the documentary perfectly captures the essence of Ugandan storytelling.

“Mzee Kibaate’s lens captured the spirit of Mbirizi for over 50 years, and this screening is a celebration of the fact that our stories are finally being told by us and appreciated by the world. That is the Spirit of Uganda, and that is what we raise a glass to.”

Guests attending the screening first gathered at the Acacia Mall Rooftop where they were welcomed with specially prepared Uganda Waragi cocktails. The drinks menu was carefully inspired by the documentary, featuring creations such as the Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, the Akwat’empola Studio and the Kabalungi Mbirizi. Each drink served as a creative tribute to the photographer and the studio that captured the everyday life of his community.

The audience itself reflected the spirit of the film, bringing together some of the most influential names in Uganda’s arts and cultural scene. Among those present were musician Maurice Kirya, filmmakers Matthew Nabwiso and Eleanor Nabwiso, as well as business leader Maria Kiwanuka.

Members of Ssalongo’s family also attended the event, with some travelling to Kampala for only the second time. Their presence added an emotional touch to the evening as they watched their relative’s work finally receive the recognition it deserves.

After the cocktail reception, guests moved into the cinema hall where the documentary was screened. As the lights dimmed and the story unfolded on screen, the evening became a powerful reminder that Uganda’s stories continue to live on through art, memory and the determination to preserve the country’s cultural heritage.

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Kampala, Uganda | Members of Parliament have demanded answers from officials at the Ministry of Works and Transport regarding the whereabouts of former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) Executive Director Allen Kagina, following the dissolution of the agency under the government’s rationalisation programme.

The matter arose during a session of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reviewing the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/25 financial year. MPs questioned why Kagina, widely credited for transforming Uganda’s road sector, was not among the former UNRA staff absorbed into the ministry after the authority was merged back into its parent ministry.

Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa told the committee that Kagina never applied for a position in the ministry.

“The former UNRA Executive Director did not express interest in taking up a job at the Ministry,” Waiswa said while responding to questions from Mawogola South MP Gorreth Namugga.

The revelation surprised several legislators, who wondered why one of the government’s most celebrated technocrats opted out of the transition process.

Kagina was appointed UNRA Executive Director by President Yoweri Museveni in 2015 after serving as Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), where she spearheaded reforms that improved tax collection.

During her nearly decade-long leadership at UNRA, Uganda’s paved road network expanded significantly—from about 3,500 kilometres to more than 5,600 kilometres, according to official government figures.

Her tenure also followed the high-profile Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters and related governance issues, chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire, which exposed widespread mismanagement in the roads sector but acknowledged reforms implemented during Kagina’s leadership.

UNRA was dissolved in late 2024 under the government’s Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) programme aimed at reducing duplication of roles and cutting public expenditure.

Out of the 1,371 staff who worked with UNRA, 1,254 employees—about 91 percent—were absorbed into the Ministry of Works and Transport.

Kagina’s absence from the transition, however, has fueled speculation about whether the move was personal or influenced by internal government dynamics.

Sources familiar with the matter suggest the decision was largely personal.

Following the dissolution of UNRA, Kagina was appointed Chairperson of the Uganda Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council in early 2025.

Government officials have continued to speak highly of her contribution to public service.

State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Musa Francis Ecweru previously said government would still find ways to utilise her expertise.

“The UNRA Executive Director role is no longer there, but I am sure the appointing authority will always find some responsibility for Allen Kagina. She has done well,” Ecweru said.

Meanwhile, the rationalisation process has not been entirely smooth. Some former UNRA employees have taken legal action against government, demanding about Shs196 billion in unpaid terminal benefits.

The transition has also reignited debate about whether merging agencies back into ministries could weaken operational efficiency in critical sectors such as infrastructure development.

As Uganda’s roads sector adjusts to the new structure, the lingering question among lawmakers remains: Why did Allen Kagina choose not to return to the ministry she once helped shape?

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