Miles of Smiles as UNRA launches 10th year anniversary celebrations with new ferry

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) launched their tenth year anniversary aboard the newly commissioned MV Albert Nile 1 ferry, Friday Afternoon.

According to the UNRA Executive Director, Allen Kagina, the decision to launch the celebrations aboard the newly commissioned water vessel was inspired by the desire to send a message that UNRA has not only mastered the art of road transport systems but water transport too.

" We decided to launch the celebrations on this ferry to send a message that we don't only connect people by constructing roads, but we can move on water as well," the ED said in a speech.

The MV Albert Nile 1 ferry will be connecting Buliisa district to Nebbi ( Panyimur ) in Uganda and could also move up to Congo via Lake Albert. 8.1 billion shillings was the money spent in its acquisition.

The setting up of Uganda National Roads Authority as a professional technical infrastructure management agency in 2008 was a political act. UNRA was given powers that were previously held by politicians who used to exercise them on part of the people who elected them.

The Executive Director said in her speech on the ferry, that they (UNRA) therefore have to give accountability to the people on whose behalf they do what they do.

" The 10th anniversary is not about the last 10 years. It is about the next 10 years in the short term, but ultimately about the next 100 years. Its about the shape of Uganda's future!" - The Executive Director said in part.

Speaking at the launch, the Hon. Minister of Works and Transport, Monica Azuba Ntege said that her ministry is mandated to plan, develop and maintain an economic, efficient and effective transport services by road, rail, water and air and as part of the road sub sector reforms, UNRA was established in 2008 with a mandate to develop and maintain the national roads network which includes the ferry services linking sections of the national roads that are separated by water bodies.

" With the establishment of UNRA, Government has made tremendous development in the road sub sector. UNRA has been at the centre of modernising our road infrastructure to world class. This is evident in the quality of roads across the country, quality of ferry services across the country, quality of ferry services through modern ferries with enhanced features that promote dignity of Ugandans," the Minister said.

She went ahead to thank UNRA for the great achievement and noted that the ferry services are offered at no cost to the public which is part of Government's commitment to boost trade among communities, create income for the citizens of the country and provide social, administrative and security services.

The celebrations of UNRA at ten are expected to carry on for a period of six months through a series of events.