Over 1,700 employees at Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), led by Allen Kagina until recently, are grappling with joblessness after the agency’s functions were collapsed into the Ministry of Works and Transport.
As Allen Kagina handed over office and the functions of UNRA to officials at the Ministry of Works and Transport led by junior minister Musa Ecweru, Kagina and former UNRA staff got assurances that would be absorbed into the mother ministry.
“We are going to absorb nearly 99 per cent of former UNRA employees into the Ministry. We value their skills and want them to continue serving the nation. Their expertise is critical as we push forward.”
For Kagina, Minister Ecweru said: “The role of UNRA Executive Director no longer exists but l am sure the appointing authority will always find some responsibility for her. She has done well.”
Allen Kagina has sent the following message to former UNRA employees:
Dear friends,
As we take leave of UNRA due to the mainstreaming of functions of the National Road network into the Ministry of Works and Transport, I wanted to write a personal note to each of you. It has been the privilege of my 9 years and 8 months to have been your team leader. We have shared this exciting journey together, weathering every storm and celebrating every achievement. I could not be prouder of the UNRA team. From this point on, wherever God may place you, I charge each of you to remain strong and confident that you are capable and professional and can grow from strength to strength. I would like to share with you my credo.
You are ready material; God created you ready. He would not be God if He started something and did not finish it. But God will allow you to go through circumstances and relationships so that you can be polished.
Wherever God may place you, fill your time with unquestionable integrity in everything you do without exception. Let your word be true and worthy of trust, especially during challenging circumstances. Your credibility will motivate your teams to believe in themselves and return exceptional results. Let there be no excuses whatsoever to compromise your standard even when and especially when no one is looking. Be your own critic and moral compass.
Have no shame in sharing your vulnerability because no one wants an impossible standard. In fact, your weakness is an opportunity for others to display their strength. This is how you develop others: by creating space for them to become your teachers.
Showing vulnerability is good for the team, but showing leadership, showing resolve, and making tough decisions in difficult situations are some of the most important leadership attributes that provide an anchor for your team in the midst of a storm. Make the most of every moment you have to be prepared for the next. Therefore, you must be prepared all the time. To be ready all the time, you must allocate the use of your time very wisely and be aware of time stealers. To be a good steward of the time you have, you must:a) Take stock of how you currently use the time you have.
b) Prioritize your responsibilities and allocate time in order of priority
c) Cut off those things that do not add value. That might include some relationships, too.
d) Account to yourself at the end of each day how well you have used the time you had
e) Learn from your mistakes. You will make many.
One of your most important responsibilities is the people God has given you to lead. DO NOT sacrifice their welfare for anything. They will serve you well and watch your back when times are tough. It will be impossible to regain their trust if they ever feel used or betrayed. Your actions will speak louder than words. People want fewer words and more action. They want to know that your word is good. Credibility is very important to them because it provides a secure workplace, knowing that the top can be trusted. They will be understanding when times are tough and more forgiving when you make mistakes. Do not lose the connection with them. Make use of innovations. Deliberately provide time and space for creativity. It releases people to explore and participate in making an enterprise successful.
When you must make the tough call, do so. Do not procrastinate. Nothing breaks your credibility like procrastination.
Be your own person. Have time for yourself. You will need it to make progress. You are not a victim of your job. Some associations can hurt your reputation and discredit you. A good leader is not identified by the company he keeps but by the values he upholds. Security in who you are will give confidence to those you lead that they have a solid leader.
Be careful how you exercise power. Be humble! Humility has great dividends for success. I have enjoyed my time at UNRA, and! hope you have, too.
May God bless your next steps.
It should be remembered that Museveni’s government has set aside billions to compensate UNRA staff. See how much Money UNRA Boss Allen Kagina & Other Top Bosses Will Each Be Paid as Compensation Before Roads Authority is Closed HERE. Please Follow our Whatsapp Channel for More Stories HERE
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