Uganda Begins Restoration of Historic Railway Line for Improved Regional Connectivity”
Uganda has initiated the restoration of a historic railway line, dating back to the British colonial era, as an alternative to a previously planned standard gauge railway (SGR) project for which funding from China was not secured. This development aims to reduce the cost of transporting goods to the north of Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
John Linnon Sengendo, spokesperson for the state-run Uganda Railways Corporation, highlighted the strategic goal of shifting long-distance bulk cargo transportation from roads to rail, citing cost and time efficiency as key advantages.
The railway line, which is part of the East Africa rail network originating from Kenya’s Mombasa seaport, was constructed during the early 20th century. However, it has been out of service for nearly four decades. The restoration project, undertaken by China Road and Bridge Corporation, is expected to be completed within two years at a cost of 200 billion shillings (approximately $55.48 million), funded by the Ugandan government.
The revamped railway line will connect Tororo, a town in eastern Uganda near the Kenyan border, with Gulu in the north, close to the South Sudan border. This restoration is seen as a significant step towards reducing reliance on truck transportation for goods destined for South Sudan and the DRC.
This initiative follows another recent announcement regarding the construction of a standard gauge railway linking Naivasha in Kenya to Kampala, Uganda’s capital. This project, disclosed last week by transport ministers of Kenya and Uganda, is part of a broader effort to enhance regional connectivity and infrastructure development.
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