Construction of Uganda’s Standard Gauge Railway to Begin Next Month

The long-anticipated construction of Uganda’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is set to commence next month without further delay. 

Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has already briefed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on the project’s progress, signaling the government’s commitment to improving the country’s railway infrastructure.

The contract for the project has been awarded to Mackenzie, a Turkish firm currently constructing a similar railway from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza in Tanzania. 

The government has secured €2.7 million in funding from development partners to kick-start the project, which is expected to span four years.

One of the critical aspects of the railway project—land acquisition—has been successfully completed. 

According to Finance Ministry official Moses Kaggwa, 1,600 acres of land have been compensated, ensuring that there are no legal hurdles to delay construction. This marks a major milestone in Uganda’s efforts to enhance connectivity with regional markets.

^{Officials From Ministry Works meeting together with the Prime Minister during the press briefing on the SGR works starting}

President Yoweri Museveni officially launched the Standard Gauge Railway Project in Tororo District last November. 

The railway is part of a broader Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) initiative aimed at linking Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan to Mombasa Port via Nairobi. 

The project is expected to boost trade, reduce transport costs, and improve cargo movement across the East African region.Once completed, Uganda’s 1,724-kilometer SGR network will facilitate the efficient transportation of goods and passengers across key economic zones.

The railway project will be constructed in phases, with four key lines planned:

Eastern Line: Malaba to Kampala (272 km), including branch lines to industrial hubs in Tororo, Wakiso, and Kampala (41 km).

Northern Line: Tororo-Gulu-Nimule (South Sudan border) (465 km), with an additional spur from Gulu-Pakwach-Vura (DR Congo border) (297 km).

Western Line: Kampala-Bihanga-Kasese-Mpondwe (DR Congo border) (383 km), with a spur to Hima Cement.

Southern Line: Bihanga-Mirama Hills (Rwanda border) (280 km), with a spur to Muko.

The Standard Gauge Railway is expected to enhance trade competitiveness, ease traffic congestion on Uganda’s highways, and promote industrialization by providing efficient and cost-effective transport for goods and raw materials. 

Additionally, it will create thousands of jobs for Ugandans during construction and operation phases.

Government officials and project stakeholders have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the railway project is completed on time and within budget. 

As Uganda embarks on this transformative infrastructure development, the SGR is poised to catalyze economic growth, attract investment, and strengthen regional connectivity.

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