Uganda, Tanzania sign MoU on cross-border SGR line

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Uganda and Tanzania on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a cross-border Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line linking the two neighbours, a project officials say could cut transport costs and ease the movement of cargo across the region.

The agreement, signed in Dar es Salaam, commits the two governments to develop the Isaka–Lusahunga–Murongo/Kikagati–Mpondwe SGR line, part of a planned corridor expected to stretch more than 600 kilometres and connect onward to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The railway project forms part of broader regional plans to expand standard gauge rail networks across East Africa, aimed at improving connectivity, reducing transport costs and strengthening trade links among neighbouring countries.

Fred Byamukama, state minister for transport, said the railway is intended to shift cargo transport from road to rail, lowering the cost of moving goods across the region.

“Uganda and Tanzania, we are brothers and sisters. So we have signed an MoU specifically to commit ourselves to the development of the standard gauge railway line connecting Tanzania and Uganda,” Byamukama said.

“The problem we have in East Africa is the high cost of commodities. This is because the cost of transporting those goods is high. When we move them by road we pay heavily, and that makes the commodities expensive.”

The signing took place at the conclusion of the fifth session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Dar es Salaam.

Reports show that the African Development Bank (AfDB) is backing the SGR line by including it in its 2026 infrastructure priority program. The rail aims to connect the Tanzania SGR to Uganda and potentially the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), opening a new route for minerals such as gold, copper, and iron ore.

John Mulimba, state minister for foreign affairs in charge of regional affairs, said negotiations on the railway agreement had been completed before the signing.

“This is going to be a trilateral project between Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All negotiations have been concluded and we have now put pen to paper,” Mulimba said.

Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, the Tanzania minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation said implementation of agreed upon plans is critical for regional development.

“The strongest instrument is our cooperation to contribute to regional development and sustainable growth,” he said.