Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has started transporting cement from Tororo to Namanve in a new partnership with Hima Cement Limited that could remove 1,000 heavy truck trips from Uganda's roads each month.
The first shipment comprised 15 railway wagons carrying 540 tonnes of cement from Hima Cement's facility in Tororo to Namanve.
URC plans to increase the volume to 30,000 tonnes per month once the service reaches full capacity.
The corporation estimates that transporting the first consignment by road would have required 18 heavy-duty trucks, each carrying 30 tonnes.
At the planned monthly capacity, the railway service could replace about 1,000 truck trips, easing pressure on the busy Tororo-Kampala transport corridor.
The partnership marks a step in URC's efforts to expand domestic freight services and encourage manufacturers to move bulk cargo by rail.
Heavy trucks contribute to traffic congestion and road damage, particularly along major highways that connect industrial centres and border crossings.
Moving cement by train could help reduce road maintenance costs, improve cargo safety and limit the risk of accidents involving heavy trucks.
Rail transport also allows manufacturers to move large quantities of goods in a single journey, potentially reducing transport costs and improving delivery schedules.
For Hima Cement, the arrangement offers another option for transporting products between its production facility and the Kampala industrial area.
The development supports the government's wider efforts to revive railway transport and reduce Uganda's dependence on road freight.
URC hopes the cement deal will encourage more manufacturers to use the railway network for transporting goods.
"We are engaging other manufacturers to have their cargo shifted to rail along the entire network," URC said.
The corporation has not disclosed the cost of the new service or when it expects to reach the monthly target of 30,000 tonnes.
