URC plans to modernise railways to reduce reliance on road transport

The Chairperson of Uganda Railways Commission, Mr Daudi Migereko, has said the government plans to improve and modernise the country`s railway transport system to enhance the delivery of goods and reduce reliance on road.

Mr Migereko noted that the plans will also save national infrastructures, cut transport-related costs and unlock new opportunities for trade and mobility.

Speaking from Jinja Railway Station on Friday, Mr Migereko explained that the initiative seeks to ease traffic congestion in urban centres and extend the lifespan of road networks, freeing up government resources for development priorities.

A larger portion of Ugandans rely on road transport, but the revival of rail transport presents a significant shift intended to save the roads from wear and tear and associated disruptions.

“By shifting bulk goods onto trains, the government hopes to significantly reduce this strain. Rail transport offers clear advantages, as locomotives can haul massive loads in a single trip,” Mr Migereko said.

He explained that some goods are already being transported along the Malaba–Jinja-Mukono railway route, with rehabilitation works underway to strengthen this critical link to Kenya.

Mr Migereko said the government hopes to acquire more locomotives for cargo services.

“You can imagine travelling to Kampala by road takes about six hours, but by train it can take less than an hour. The government is rehabilitating railway lines and stations,” Mr Migereko said.

He noted that the shift to rail transport is expected to lower logistics costs for businesses, stimulate regional trade, and attract investment in industries reliant on bulk transport, such as agriculture, cement, and fuel.