Special Investigation Report
At the headquarters of the Union Transport Alliance, located at Luthien Towers in Kamwokya, Mr Fred Ssenoga is described by colleagues, Union Transport Alliance Ambassador Ms Alice Natukunda in his late 50s, as a down-to-earth figure who maintains a low public profile despite his growing influence in transport discussions.
Inside the offices—furnished with modern fittings and displaying portraits associated with the organisation’s activities—branding linked to Union Transport Alliance products is visible, including Union Oil, Union Water and Union Sanitary Pads, which the organisation says are locally produced as part of its economic model.
Mr Ssenoga, fully clad in a white shirt and grey with a golden watch, is described by Ms Natukunda as a transport thinker with a strong understanding of Uganda’s mobility systems and operational challenges facing drivers and operators.
” The epitome of knowledge and love to expand Uganda’s transport sector with Union Village to extend in all cities and districts in Uganda lays as his major goal,” shared Ms Alice Natukunda.
His engagement in sector discussions aligns with oversight and coordination roles under the Ministry of Works and Transport, which is responsible for transport policy, regulation and infrastructure development in Uganda.
Supporters of the Union Transport Alliance formalised in March 2026 boast with 10 million members country wide and 28 offices under services of 60 products with Union Sanitary Pads as the trending item led by the general manager Mr. say the organisation seeks to act as a bridge between transport operators and policy institutions in discussions around efficiency, safety and economic integration.
Road safety concerns remain central
Uganda continues to face a high number of road crashes, which authorities and advocacy groups say result in loss of life, injury and economic disruption.
The Socialites Association of Uganda has been leading a 2024–2025 National Road Safety Campaign, focusing on public awareness, behavioural change and stakeholder collaboration to reduce road accidents.
The organisation says road safety should be treated as a development priority, not only a transport issue, arguing that road crashes reduce productivity and increase pressure on public health systems.
Mr Ssenoga’s transport agenda
Mr Ssenoga says transport should go beyond moving passengers and goods to becoming a platform for enterprise development, employment creation and economic empowerment.
Supporters describe him as an entrepreneur and mentor focused on integrating transport operators into wider economic structures.
Through initiatives such as integrated transport services, Union Village housing concepts, and energy and supply services for drivers and vehicle owners, the organisation says it is building a transport ecosystem that supports livelihoods across the sector.
This vision, according to supporters, aligns with Uganda’s long-term development framework under Vision 2040, which emphasises industrialisation and inclusive economic growth.
The Union Transport Alliance estimates its network reaches close to one million people, including taxi operators, truck drivers and boda boda riders, as well as affiliated groups such as Riders Jambo boda boda associations.
Expansion into affiliated products and services
Beyond transport operations, the Union Transport Alliance has developed a range of affiliated products and services it says are intended to support transport workers and reduce operational costs.
These include:
Union Oil, a fuel-related support initiative
Union Water, a clean water product
Union Jerry, a logistics and transport support service
Union Sanitary Pads, a locally produced hygiene product
Union Spare parts, Union Boda Boda with affordable payment of Shs: 120,000 flexible daily payments.
Union M10 smartphone with daily payments
The organisation says these initiatives are designed to create internal value chains within the transport ecosystem while supporting employment and small-scale manufacturing.
Policy observers say such diversification reflects a wider trend of transport-linked organisations seeking to integrate service delivery with enterprise development.
Pricing of Union products
The Union Transport Alliance says its products are structured to remain accessible to transport workers and households.
According to the organisation, Union Sanitary Pads are sold at between sh1,600 and sh2,000, depending on distribution points and market conditions.
The group also says Union Oil products are offered at competitive and affordable rates, aimed at reducing fuel and operational costs for transport operators. However, prices may vary depending on supply chains and market fluctuations.
Independent verification of the full pricing structure was not immediately available at the time of reporting.
Policy debate and economic questions
Economists and transport analysts say Uganda’s transport debate is shifting from infrastructure expansion to questions of economic impact.
Key questions being raised include:
Who benefits from transport investment?
Does it create sustainable employment?
Does it support local enterprise development?
Does it reduce poverty?
Does it improve productivity?
These issues are increasingly shaping discussions on how transport policy should evolve.
Government and institutional framework
The Ministry of Works and Transport remains the lead government institution responsible for transport infrastructure and regulation.
Analysts led by Ms Alice Natukunda say effective collaboration between government and private sector actors is essential if transport is to deliver broader economic outcomes.
Stakeholder led by Edison Kirabira, Civil Coordinator Operation Wealth Creation and Federation of Uganda Social Media Influencers argue that emerging transport-led business models, such as those promoted by the Union Transport Alliance, raise new questions about regulation, integration and sustainability.
Investor and sector interest
Uganda’s transport sector supports logistics, freight, manufacturing, tourism, insurance, warehousing and digital payment systems.
For investors, the sector represents a large and expanding economic space, while for businesses, efficiency in transport directly affects operational costs and competitiveness.
For citizens, improved transport systems translate into better access to employment, education and healthcare services.
The road ahead
Uganda has made significant investments in transport infrastructure over recent years. However, experts say the next phase will depend on how effectively infrastructure is translated into economic value.
This includes strengthening systems, improving coordination, supporting local enterprises and ensuring road safety remains central to transport planning.
Whether the Union Transport Alliance will play a lasting role in shaping Uganda’s transport policy direction remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the country’s transport debate is evolving—from roads as physical infrastructure to transport as a wider economic system.
In the long term, analysts say, the success of the sector will not only be measured by infrastructure built, but by its impact on livelihoods, economic opportunity and national development.
