Through the works ministry, the government has imported about 49,000 new rails from Spain.

The rails are expected to be used by the Uganda Railways Corporation to enhance the ageing rail line infrastructure.

Benon Kajuna, the director of transport at the works ministry, says the new rails have arrived in the country.

The rails are expected to be used by the Uganda Railways Corporation to enhance the aging rail line infrastructure. (Photo by Jimmy Outa)

Kajuna told New Vision on Thursday that these rails will be inserted after the ongoing installation of the concrete sleepers.

“They have already arrived. So, the moment we put the concrete sleepers, then they’ll be able to put in the new rails,” he added.

According to the ministry, one of the main purposes of these rails is to increase the speed of the train exponentially.

“The main objective of what we are planning to achieve is that the trains will be moving at a high speed of about 90 or 100km per hour,” Kajuna said.

The director added that the importation of the new rails is also expected to reduce crashes and vandalism because the new rails will replace the old ones.

“People have been stealing the fasteners and also stealing the rails. So, now the vandalism will actually disappear,” Kajuna said.

The rails will be inserted after the ongoing installation of the concrete sleepers. (Photo by Jimmy Outa)

According to the transport director, this is a two-year project that is expected to be completed by February 2024. It is being implemented by Imathia Construction — a Spanish company, with funding from the Government and other development partners.

The ministry appealed to the public to reduce the encroachment towards the railway line by being 30 meters away on either side, as the law states. This is because, according to Kajuna, the construction works are highly mechanised and in case accidents happen, injuries and death of people can be avoided.

Transport experts say railway is perceived by passengers as a safer and more affordable mode of transport in comparison to road. However, in Uganda, over 90% of the traffic along the northern corridor is carried by road, with a mere 7% moving by rail because of poor infrastructure. Subsequently, transport costs along the corridor are relatively high.