Legendary Persian poet Hafiz Shirazi in one of his famous poems on Spirituality and Religion, retorts in the conclusion of his poem “Do not expect, From Hafiz, A life of peacefulness, Repose. What is patience? What is peace? Who knows? 

In his deep fashion and cunning style pushing his reader to thought and ponder a lie living in fake purity in the practice of faith or tenets of religion, breaking that in the practice of religion, we are told the better deeds done in this life the greater is a reward and the worse the greater is a punishment in the afterlife. 

Some cheeky fellows would say this turns into a sort of business hence man will not do something out of sincerity.

Keith Muhakanizi, the permanent secretary of the treasury, economist, and a host of others hats him, was many things and to the road sector in Uganda post-1986 you’re not far off in saluting his firm hand of economic transformation with his effort in the infrastructure/roads sector.

His leadership in appraising, negotiating the financing with the development partners and implementation of the Road Sector Support Project (RSSP). 

The RSSP was launched in 2002 intending to rehabilitate and maintain Uganda's road network. 

Under Muhakanizi's leadership, the project was implemented successfully, resulting in the rehabilitation of over 2,000 kilometers of roads and the construction of new roads in previously neglected areas.

Muhakanizi to the road sector in Uganda, his push in promoting private sector participation in road construction and maintenance was remarkable. 

He recognized the importance of the private sector in infrastructure development and worked to create an enabling environment for private sector investment in the road sector. 

He led efforts to streamline the procurement process for road construction and maintenance contracts, making it easier for private sector companies to bid for and win contracts.

In his days at the Ministry of Finance, played a key role in the establishment of the Road Agency Formation Unit (RAFU) and then the Uganda Road Fund (URF). 

URF created in 2008 aims to provide a sustainable source of funding for the maintenance and rehabilitation of Uganda's road network. Led efforts to establish the legal and institutional framework for the URF and UNRA and oversaw its implementation. 

The URF has been successful in providing funding for road maintenance and has helped to ensure the sustainability of Uganda's road network.

He was right on the money, years later with funding from the donors and government of Uganda, the Country boasts of nearly over 6000km’s of tarmac roads and more projects ongoing, 10 ferries, and modern bridge structures.

A robust road maintenance directorate positioned across the country to keep the road motorable enabling social-economic transformation as part of the macroeconomic stability which has seen a 6% per annum economic growth rate.

He, in 2019 received the prestigious African Road Builders Award for his contributions to the development of the road sector in Uganda. 

They recognized his leadership in the development and implementation of the RSSP, his efforts to promote private-sector participation in the road sector, and his role in the establishment of the URF.

The impact of his contributions to the road sector in Uganda has been significant. The rehabilitation and maintenance of Uganda's road network have led to improved access to markets and services for people in rural areas, resulting in increased economic activity and improved living standards. 

Private sector investment in road construction and maintenance has also helped to create jobs and boost economic growth.

As he transitions to the afterlife, we bid farewell to a strong advocate of UNRA in the economic aspect, whose key role in some road projects be noted in securing funding for projects like Kabale-Kisoro, Fortportal-Bundibugyo-Lamia, Nyakahita-Kazo-Kamwenge, Busega-Mpigi Expressway, Rukungiri-Kihihi-Ishasha, Bumbobi-Lwakhaka Gayaza-Kalagi among others. 

To the man who made a daring move during the Forportal-Kamwenge road projects, indeed GOOD DEEDS WILL LIVE, ALL ELSE WILL DIE, the gold parts from us. Farewell Keith Muhakanizi.

The writer is Senior Media Relations Officer at Uganda National Roads Authority.