'Tororo-Gulu meter gauge railway rehabilitation progressing well'

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Works ministry officials say the Tororo-Gulu meter gauge railway rehabilitation works are progressing well.

Despite the challenges associated with the abnormally heavy downpour and damaged sections of the track, especially in Awoja swamp that slowed the works, ministry chief civil engineer, Isaac Natukunda, says contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), has done significantly good work.

According to company project manager, Wu Yaguang, they are ready to tackle all the challenges and ensure that they deliver a value-for-money project by the end of the year.

Yaguang says they expect to complete the Tororo-Kumi section by March, Kumi-Aloi by August and Aloi-Gulu by the end of the year adding the only remaining double crossing materials which were lagging have equally been shipped into the country.

He added that they have deployed 21 Chinese expatriates and 490 local labour force. The company also says it uses 90% of locally-sourced materials to execute the work.

Ministry director of transport, Benon Kajuna, says the contractor’s performance stands at 23% of the completed verified works, 55% of physical performance and 49% of the financial performance.

The Government in July 2023 launched the rehabilitation of the 373-kilometre Tororo-Gulu meter gauge railway at the tune of sh199b financed by the Government. The project is supposed to last 12 months.

From left is Bageya, Kajuna, Allan Kyagungu, the third division deputy army commander, and Fred Ahimbisibwe Bukedi, south RPC. (Photo by Faustine Odeke)

To improve trade

According to Kajuna the scope of the works, includes culvert installations, implementation of the drainage system, subgrading, bridge constructions, and supply of track materials, railway track works and railway auxiliary works.

Kajuna, who is the incoming managing director of the Uganda Railways Corporation, said once completed, the railway will reduce the cost of transporting goods, improve logistical efficiency and boost trade in the northern region, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He said they are proud of the same company having rehabilitated the Mukono-Malaba meter gauge railway sections within record time.

The team observed on January 28, 2025, during an on-site track visit to assess the progress of the works. They inspected the track from Tororo, Magodes, Mbale, Bukedea and Mukura in Ngora district.

Ministry permanent secretary, Waiswa Bageya, thanked the Police and the army personnel for safeguarding the materials. He said that once completed, the railway line would aid in tarmac road preservation and improve trade.

He said they are also in touch with a South Korean company, which is doing feasibility studies to connect the Gulu logistic hub to Pakwach in the West Nile to link Uganda to South Sudan and the DR Congo.

Bageya said they are also going to issue a notice for the Malaba-Kampala Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] project construction to kick off. He thanked the finance ministry for the timely release of funds that has enabled the project to progress well.