The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has announced its intention to revitalize the Kampala-Portbell and Kampala-Bujukko railway lines using meter-gauge concrete sleepers.
This initiative aims to ease traffic congestion in Kampala by expanding transportation from roads to railways.
David Musoke Bulenga the acting Managing Director of URC, disclosed that these plans follow the near completion of projects such as the Namanve-Kampala meter gauge and Kampala-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway.
Additionally, plans are in motion to construct the Kampala-western Standard Gauge Railway and Mirama hills-Rwanda Standard Gauge Railway.
Bulenga outlined a timeline of two to three years for the procurement and importation of new equipment, including locomotives for hauling goods and diesel multiple units for passenger trains.
He says the rehabilitation of Kampala-Portbell and Kampala-Bujukko railway lines will significantly enhance railway transport, particularly for passengers.
The project will unfold in two phases, with the first phase covering the route from Kampala to Namanve, followed by the extension to Mukono.
However, the URC has expressed concern about vandalism, accidents and encroachment issues along the railway corridor, especially in areas like Namanve and Kireka.
He explains that incidents of theft of infastructure by locals have been reported in areas of Mbuya and Kinawattaka where vandals steal pipes and unscrew sleepers causing loss to the government and putting passenger’s life in dissarry.
He urged stakeholders to cooperate in preserving the integrity of the railway system and cautioned against attempted vandalism, citing the implementation of new technology to prevent such incidents.
“Lucky enough, the new technology is good for our part.We intend to renew our services on the newly refurbished line and this vandalism is a threat to to the running and operations of the train. Therefore our appeal is for people to respect the work to revamp the railway line” he says
Bulenga further states that vendors in parts of Kireka and Namanve have also enchroched on the safety zones along the railway corridors despite prior agreements to vacate these spaces.
Futhermore , Bulenga mentioned that three incidents of fatal accidents have been registered recently on railway lines including boda boda riders.
“Boda bodas just run into the moving train which is very risky to lives.”he says
Spanish firm Imathia Construction has finished replacing steel sleepers with concrete beams on the Namanve-Kampala section, with plans to extend the overhaul to Namanve-Mukono. While the Malaba-Namanve track is in fair condition, stakeholders are hesitant to shift to rail due to insufficient rolling stock and inefficiencies, leading to 90% of traffic relying on road transport.
Comments are closed.