Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has officially opened a newly refurbished railway line connecting the capital, Kampala, to the nearby towns of Mukono and Katosi.
The newly rehabilitated 26.8km railway line, constructed with concrete sleepers made in Uganda, is designed for speeds of up to 120 km/hour, a major upgrade from the old infrastructure which allowed for only 20-35 km/hour. This upgrade is expected to significantly reduce travel times and improve the overall efficiency of the railway system.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, President Museveni said the government was committed to modernising the country’s transport infrastructure. He noted that the revived economy had led to an increase in the number of cars on the roads, which had resulted in pressure on the roads.
“We have started optimising our transport system,” he said. “We have various types of cargo – dry, wet, petroleum products – and passenger traffic, all competing for space on the roads.”
The president also announced plans to extend the railway line to other parts of the country, including Kyengera, Bujuuko, Port Bell, Lugazi, and Jinja. He added that the government was committed to securing funding for locomotives to support the expanded service.
The project has been supported by the Spanish government, and President Museveni expressed his gratitude for their assistance.
The railway line is part of a broader effort to improve Uganda’s transport network, which also includes the development of a standard gauge railway connecting the country to its neighbours. President Museveni noted that progress was being made on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which will extend from Malaba to Kampala and onward to Packwach and Kasese.
The commuter train service, which was also launched, has a capacity of transporting 650 persons in a single trip. The railway transport is expected to help users retain some disposable income due to subsidized fees. Uganda Railways Corporation has already transported over 220,000 passengers along the Kampala-Mukono route since June, with plans to expand services to other routes.
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