Uganda Railways Launches Pilot Passenger Train Service to Ease Kampala Traffic

KAMPALA – Uganda Railways Corporation has taken a significant step toward reviving passenger rail transport with the launch of a pilot train service transporting students from Mukono to Kampala, in a move aimed at reducing road congestion and improving commuter safety.

The inaugural trip, conducted on April 17, saw students and teachers from Seroma High School travel aboard a passenger train from Mukono to Kampala. According to the corporation, the initiative is part of broader efforts to reintroduce reliable and predictable rail transport within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

In a statement shared online, URC described the journey as a success and a “first, but not the last,” highlighting plans to expand passenger services to serve more commuters, particularly along high-traffic corridors.

Transport analysts note that rail systems operate on dedicated tracks, avoiding competition with road traffic such as boda bodas, taxis, and trucks. This makes travel times more predictable, a factor expected to attract more users and gradually ease congestion on busy routes like the Kampala–Mukono highway.

The pilot comes amid renewed government focus on rail transport as a sustainable urban mobility solution. Uganda has in recent years been exploring options to modernise its meter gauge railway and expand passenger services as part of a long-term strategy to decongest cities and lower transport costs.

The development also coincides with ongoing international partnerships to strengthen the sector. Earlier this month, URC held high-level discussions with the European Union delegation in Uganda under the Global Gateway Programme, which identifies railway infrastructure as a strategic priority for investment.

Speaking after the engagement, URC Board Chairman Daudi Migereko emphasised the importance of partnerships in transforming Uganda’s rail network. He noted that EU support over the past five decades has contributed to key projects, including the rehabilitation of railway lines, logistics hubs, and feasibility studies for passenger rail expansion.

The EU-backed Global Gateway initiative is expected to support Uganda in developing modern, low-carbon transport systems, with a focus on both passenger and cargo rail services.

Key priorities outlined in the URC–EU engagement include strengthening institutional capacity, accelerating project implementation, improving asset management, and integrating green infrastructure into railway development.

With the successful rollout of the pilot passenger service, URC officials say Uganda is beginning to reposition rail transport as a viable alternative to road travel—offering safer, faster, and more efficient mobility for urban and peri-urban populations.