The Executive Director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), Allen Kagina, has penned a heartfelt note to Ugandans as the organisation closes its chapter following its merger with the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Titled "For the Road Ahead", her letter is both a farewell and a call to embrace resilience, humility, and purpose in leadership.
Reflecting on her nine years and eight months at the helm of UNRA, Kagina expressed immense pride in the team that worked tirelessly to navigate challenges and achieve milestones.
"It has been the privilege of my career to lead this team," she wrote.
Ms Kagina encouraged her colleagues to carry forward the professionalism and strength that defined their time together, urging them to embrace future opportunities with confidence and integrity.
She shared her leadership philosophy, emphasising the importance of accountability and unwavering standards.
"Let your word be true and worthy of trust," she wrote, stressing that credibility inspires confidence and drives exceptional results. She called on leaders to uphold integrity at all times, even in the absence of oversight, and to be their own toughest critics.
Ms Kagina, a distinguished Ugandan public servant, has been at the helm of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) since May 1, 2015.
Prior to this role, she served as the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), where she was instrumental in transforming the organization by tackling corruption and enhancing service orientation.
Under Kagina's leadership, UNRA has made significant strides in improving Uganda's road infrastructure. In the financial year 2022/2023, the authority completed the construction of 254 kilometers of roads, contributing to the country's development and connectivity.
Additionally, UNRA has been involved in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of key road sections, with an expected output of 163 kilometers, including the Alwii-Nebbi (37km) and Kampala-Jinja Road (72km).
Despite these achievements, UNRA has faced criticism over perceived delays and performance issues in certain road projects. Kagina has acknowledged these challenges and emphasized the authority's commitment to addressing them to meet public expectations.
'Value of vulnerability'
Acknowledging the human side of leadership, Ms Kagina highlighted the value of vulnerability. She urged leaders to view weaknesses as opportunities for others to demonstrate their strengths, fostering an environment where teams feel empowered to grow and contribute.
"Showing vulnerability is good for the team," she noted, "but showing resolve and making tough decisions anchors them in the midst of a storm."
Time management emerged as a recurring theme in her note, with Kagina advising leaders to be diligent stewards of their time.
She encouraged prioritising responsibilities, cutting out distractions, and reflecting daily on how time is spent.
"Learn from your mistakes," she added, underscoring the inevitability of setbacks and the value of growth through them.
Kagina also spoke to the essence of leadership: prioritising the welfare of those entrusted to one’s care. She warned against sacrificing the well-being of teams for any gain, noting that trust, once broken, is almost impossible to restore. Actions, she stressed, speak louder than words.
"Credibility is critical," she wrote, "because it fosters a secure workplace where people trust their leaders."
Innovation and creativity featured prominently in Kagina’s farewell message. She urged leaders to provide time and space for their teams to explore ideas, which she sees as pivotal to the success of any enterprise.
Additionally, she emphasised the importance of building strong personal relationships within teams, arguing that such bonds often outweigh technical competence in overcoming challenges.
On a personal level, Kagina reminded leaders to remain connected to their source of inspiration and strength.
For her, this connection is deeply rooted in her faith in God. "Let God take preeminence," she advised, adding that relying on human approval is a precarious path. "All men and women are fallible, but God never fails."
Kagina also highlighted the importance of systems and processes in leadership, advocating for their implementation and respect.
Such structures, she noted, not only ensure transparency and predictability but also free leaders to focus on strategic thinking. Undermining these systems, she warned, sends a message of distrust and undermines their effectiveness.
Relationships, both personal and professional, formed another cornerstone of her message. While acknowledging that conflicts are inevitable, she urged leaders to mend broken relationships and build bridges where misunderstandings have created rifts. These efforts, she said, pave the way for reconciliation and progress.
As she bid farewell, Kagina called on leaders to carve out time for self-reflection and growth, cautioning against compromising values for the sake of associations.
"A good leader is not defined by the company they keep but by the values they uphold," she affirmed. She concluded with a timeless reminder about the exercise of power: humility is not a weakness but a strength that yields enduring success.
"I have enjoyed my time at UNRA, and I hope you have, too," she wrote in closing. Her message leaves an indelible mark—a reminder that leadership is not just about accomplishments but about nurturing those one leads, maintaining integrity, and walking humbly in the service of others.
As Uganda National Roads Authority transitions into a new era, Allen Kagina's reflections offer timeless lessons for the road ahead, inspiring Ugandans to lead with purpose, compassion, and unwavering faith.
Throughout her tenure, Kagina has focused on institutional reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and service delivery within UNRA.
Her leadership has been characterized by a dedication to building robust systems and processes, fostering innovation, and maintaining a strong ethical foundation in the organization's operations.
As UNRA integrates its functions into the Ministry of Works and Transport, Kagina's legacy of transformative leadership and commitment to public service continues to inspire confidence in Uganda's infrastructure development efforts.
For a more in-depth understanding of UNRA's recent performance and future plans, you can watch Allen Kagina's presentation of the Half Year Performance for the 2021/22 financial year.