East African Business Week

Kampala, Uganda - Two decades ago the Uganda government’s effort to improve infrastructure were limited by resources.
Most roads were impassable; the railways system was grounded, while the water transport system was largely unsafe. The country's physical infrastructure -just like everything else - was totally run down.
The country's tax collection was still low at about Shs50 billion ($25 m) in 1987. Since then, the collections have increased to above Shs5 trillion ($2.5b).
With about Shs1.2 trillion (about $453b) allocated to the Works and Transport sector this Financial Year, financing is not a problem. The real task ahead is to translate these resources into results -like pothole-free roads, rehabilitated and upgraded roads, bridges among others.
The restructuring of the Ministry of Works and Transport resulting in the formation of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Road Fund, has resulted into improved performance in the roads sector and funding for roads maintenance, mainly  National roads as well as district and urban roads.
"The stage for action is already set. The task ahead requires technical expertise, hard work, administrative efficiency and integrity," says Eng. Abraham Byandala, Minister of Works and Transport
"It's  not a simple challenge, but living in a country where millions of people manoeuver with bad roads everyday is not simple either. I know the teams in the Ministry of Works and Transport as well as UNRA have what it takes and are committed to the task at hand".
From the total abyss, the Ugandan  road network was 25 years ago, today the country talks about more than 3,500 kilometers of tarmac from the 1,000 kilometers.
A number of major road projects have been completed in the last three years, these include, Kampala Northern Bypass, Jinja - Bugiri Road, Soroti - Dokolo - Lira Road, Phase I of Kawempe -Luweero -Kafu, Busunju-Kiboga-Hoima Road, Matugga-Semuto-Kapeeka among others.
Other major road projects in progress include, Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe-Wobulenzi, Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara, Kabale-Kisoro-Bunagana,  Busega-Mityana, Fort Portal-Bundibugyo- Lamia, Nyakahita-Kazo-Kamwenge, Tororo-Mbale-Soroti, Jinja-Kamuli among others. We will ensure that these projects move forward and where possible accelerate progress.
UNRA reports show that in addition, there are upcoming projects the authority is embarking on starting this Financial Year.
They include Mbarara-Katuna, Gulu-Atiak-Nimule, Vura-Arua-Koboko-Oraba, Kamwenge-Fort Portal, New Jinja bridge, Jinja-Mukono, Hoima-Kaiso-Tonya, Moroto-Nakapiripirit, Mukono-Katosi and the new Kampala Entebbe expressway. We are also seriously considering the Kampala city roads.
"We will also strengthen our water and railway transport systems to relieve our roads. Water and Railway transport provides cheaper means to link with the neighbouring countries and also a better way to move to and from the islands" a statement from Ministry of Works and transport says.
As UNRA celebrates three years, it is  is a unique opportunity to reflect on Uganda's transport network, how far it has come, where it is today, and where it is going.
To make meaningful achievement with the resources allocated, the Ministry in conjunction with UNRA, should ensure value for money through timely execution of projects, strict supervision of the projects and transparent procurement.
Constant communication with all stakeholders, including the public will be of paramount importance as they work to modernise the country's transport system.
In partnership with development partners, and various agencies, the transport system can  be transformed.