The Government of Uganda, as part of its National Development Plan III, has prioritized the rehabilitation of the Meter Gauge Railway, specifically the Tororo – Gulu railway line. The aim is to facilitate more efficient bulk transportation of goods, reduce the high cost of road transport, alleviate traffic congestion, and lower associated costs. Emergency rehabilitation work on the Tororo – Mukono section, launched in 2022, has been completed and handed over to the government, enhancing the Uganda Railways Corporation’s (URC) cargo-moving capacity.
In April of this year, rehabilitation work began on the 26.8km Kampala – Mukono section of the Meter Gauge line. This phase incorporates a new technology using concrete sleepers, replacing steel ones. Concrete sleepers were chosen for their stability, resistance to vandalism, increased load-carrying capacity, and improved speed. Upon completion, passengers will be able to travel by rail from Kampala to Mukono, with plans to extend passenger services further on the Northern corridor.
The Government of Uganda, through the Uganda Railways Corporation, has engaged M/s China Road and Bridge Corporation to undertake the rehabilitation of the Tororo – Gulu section. This 375km railway line passes through Mbale, Kumi, Soroti, Lira, and terminates at the Gulu Logistics Hub, designed to facilitate the transportation, collection, separation, consolidation, and distribution of goods for both national and international transit on a commercial basis.
The rehabilitation work for the Tororo – Gulu line is expected to take two years and is fully funded by the Ugandan government at a cost of UShs. 199.9 Billion. This investment aims to increase the stock and quality of strategic infrastructure, thereby accelerating Uganda’s competitiveness and creating integrated transport infrastructure and services. The planned works include drainage improvement, earthworks, utility relocation, rehabilitation of five steel girder bridges, railway track relaying, supply of new railway track materials, refurbishment of existing materials, and construction of level crossings with signage (both concrete and gravel). These improvements are expected to facilitate the transport of at least 500,000 Metric Tons of cargo during FY 2025/26, relieving the burden on the road network and reducing the cost of transporting cargo from Malaba to Gulu and surrounding districts.
The government’s commitment to rehabilitate and improve the Meter Gauge Railway system aligns with its goals of boosting trade and easing the movement of cargo. Additionally, the focus on constructing a Standard Gauge Railway remains, with an agreement signed with Kenya to coordinate the construction of the SGR, including the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba section in Kenya and the Malaba-Kampala section and beyond in Uganda.
