President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has launched the rehabilitated 26.8-kilometer Mukono-Kampala meter gauge railway line, marking a step in modernizing Uganda’s transport infrastructure. The revamped railway, built with concrete sleepers manufactured locally in Lugazi, allows speeds of up to 120 km/hour, a sharp improvement from the previous 20–35 km/hour.
Speaking at the event, President Museveni criticized Uganda’s over-reliance on roads, calling the current transport system inefficient. “The revived economy has put so many vehicles on the roads, which cannot cope with the pressure. Cargo, petroleum products, and passengers are all using the roads. It’s irrational,” he said.
The President announced plans to extend the railway from Mukono to Lugazi and Jinja, citing the need for alternative transport systems to reduce road congestion. “We will secure funds, whether from the Spanish government or domestic sources, to complete this project. We have no alternative,” he said.
Museveni highlighted the economic benefits of railway and water transport, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness compared to road transport. “Petroleum products must be transported via pipelines, and cargo should shift from roads to railways. This will make our transport system safer and more rational,” he noted.
Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala described the railway as a game-changer for Uganda’s commuters. “What started as a trial has become a success. The train moves about 650 people in a single trip within 40 minutes from Mukono to Kampala. This has created a demand to extend services to Lugazi and beyond,” he said.
Gen. Wamala added that the subsidized train fares help commuters save money, increasing disposable incomes.
The Chairperson of the Uganda Railways Corporation, Al-Hajji Abdallahtifu Wangubo, praised the President’s leadership and acknowledged the railway’s impact. “Since June, over 220,000 passengers have used the Kampala-Mukono route. We are overwhelmed by demand and need more train coaches,” he said.
The government plans to expand the railway network further, with support from the African Development Bank, to enhance the transformation of the meter gauge infrastructure.
President Museveni reaffirmed his commitment to developing multi-modal transport systems, which he believes are crucial for Uganda’s economic growth and efficiency.
