The government has said the construction of the 272-kilometre Malaba-Kampala Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is in full swing, marking a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development.
This flagship project, part of the broader East African Community Railway Master Plan and the Northern Corridor Integrated Projects, aims to modernize Uganda’s transport network, enhance regional connectivity, and boost economic growth.
The railway, contracted to Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi at a cost of €2.7 billion (Shs 10.8 trillion), will connect Malaba at the Kenyan border to Kampala, passing through Tororo, Butaleja, Namutumba, Luuka, Iganga, Mayuge, Jinja, Buikwe, Mukono, and Wakiso.
At a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, Perez Wamburu, the SGR Project Coordinator, emphasized the project’s commitment to maximizing local participation.
He said Ugandans will at least benefit 40% from from the project in terms of supplying, cement, steel, earthing materials, services,l abour, security services, equipment leasing/construction logistics, clearing and forwarding, tourism and hospitality and medical and health services among others.
He said significant progress had been made in land acquisition, with 150 kilometers (approximately 55% of the 272-kilometer corridor) secured, particularly up to Buikwe district.
Compensation for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) has reached over Shs 300 billion out of a total valuation of Shs 610 billion, Wamburu said.
