26 NEW VISION, Tuesday June 21, 2011 UNRA 3RD ANNIVERSARY SUPPLEMENT - road excites residents

PHOTO BY GODWIN AYESIGA By Godwin Ayesiga involves the realignment of sharp bends, widening, construction of good road network plays climbing and parking lanes, bus a central role in national bays and junctions. development. For many Although the reconstruction is A years, there has been incomplete, it has already created a public outcry regarding the poor excitement amongst travellers and state of the roads in the country. residents of district. However, with the inception of National Road Authority, Sulaiman Serunjogi, a farmer (UNRA), a lot has changed as far and resident of Marongo vil- as the country’s road network is lage, concerned. I used to spend about 30 minutes Since July 2008, UNRA has been from Marongo to but at the forefront of planning and after the road was constructed, I executing effective measures to take between five to 10 minutes address the need for a good road to reach Kyazanga on my bicycle. network. The UNRA has not only been at its peak in constructing roads but also on an extensive road upgrade and rehabilitation exercise. Take for instance, the - Masaka Road and Masaka- A cyclist goes past a milestone on the newly completed Masaka - Mbarara road -Mbarara Road that connects Uganda to Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and also the The road is wider than it used to and quickly take them to the hos- Lwengo district Democratic Republic of Congo that be. Unlike those days, nowadays pital and our children get to school I usually ride a motorcycle from for years has been a major cause we don’t have cases of vehicles without much trouble. To tell you Kyazanga to Mbarara. I used to of concern for travellers. However, knocking down cyclists and pedes- the truth, our taxes were put to spend two and half hours but on recently, the road has been under trians. good use. the new road, it takes me about 2 construction and will be complete Our lives have improved because hours. The road was properly done soon. the road is good. For instance Everest Byaruhanga, trader and many of my friends say the Sulaiman Serunjogi The reconstruction of the road when my people are sick, I easily and resident of Kitesa Village, repair work was perfect.