The Uganda Railway Corporation (URC) has commissioned 20 newly rehabilitated flatbed wagons to boost movement of goods along the central corridor trade route.

Speaking during the commissioning of the additional infrastructure on October 20 at their headquarters in Kampala, Sarah Nambasa, the acting managing director, URC said the assets will improve their capacity to handle additional cargo from the business community.

"By commissioning these 20 rehabilitated flatbed wagons today, we are directly improving our capacity to serve the country better. These wagons will be deployed along the central corridor route on Lake Victoria. Having additional flatbed wagons in our assets will enhance our performance on the road," she said.

The central corridor route, including rail and marine segments, connects key locations from Dar es Salaam to Kampala. While rail covers the stretch from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, the journey shifts to marine transportation from Mwanza to Port Bell, and finally, rail transport takes over from Port Bell to Kampala.

The central corridor route became operational in 2018, and it has since been integral to regional trade and transport.

Government representatives and private sector players pose for a photo moment. (Photo by Ali Twaha)

Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the minister of transport, noted, the corridor faced challenges stemming from its limited assets.

"If we make the corridor very efficient, it will definitely attract more people to rail transport. Water transport is the cheapest, and rail is the next most affordable means of transport. If we can transport your cargo from Dar es Salaam to Kampala at half the price you would pay for road transportation from places like Mombasa, it will encourage more businesses to choose rail transport. This shift is already reflected in the region's rising trade volumes."