Works ministry to start works on the National logistics master plan

The ministry of works transport and industry has developed the national logistics master plan for Uganda and Kenya that will be rolled out in 15 years.

The plan was formulated with support from the Japanese government through JICA to give guidance to the two governments on how to they can develop the logistics sector in their countries.

This was revealed by Benon Kajuna, the director of transport in the ministry of works last week during a meeting of the National Logistics Platform, housed at the private sector foundation.

The meeting was to validate the sector so as to identify key priorities that they should focus on as they start work on the logistics strategy, at the Sheraton Kampala hotel.

Kajuna explained that on the Ugandan side, the project will cost government about 39 million dollars which will be financed by government and development partners although none has confirmed yet.

Areas of focus under this plan include infrastructure development, warehousing, and promoting construction of local industries to add value to goods that will be transported among others.

He added that during the implementation process, funds will be allocated for activities for that particular financial year until the project is done.

Already in this financial year, the ministry of finance has set aside some money to kick start works the project. Other areas being worked on with development partners is the Gulu Logistics hub which is already being funded partly by the DFID and EU through Trade mark East Africa (TMEA).

At the event, the director of logistics at TMEA, Abhishek Sharma called on members of the platform to align all their plans to latest developments in the region.

"One time Kenya is taking a decision on what they plan to do, the same in Rwanda and Tanzania which should be linked with those in Uganda so we can move together. Individually, we may not be having the investment capacity to do it alone," he said.

He added one of the areas that Uganda for example, should have more discussions with Kenya is on the RVR concession where Uganda must ensure to sustain the meter gauge railway, until SGR comes to Uganda.

"It's important for Uganda and Kenya to collaborate and make sure that as they wait for the SGR to come, the meter gauge railway should continue working for Uganda," Sharma said.

In Kenya, the SGR is already working from Mombasa to Kisumu, but for Uganda it might take 10 years to get to Kampala, hence the need to work with Kenya in those ten years so that the RVR project doesn't collapse.

He also advised Uganda should also consider focusing on the central corridors as alternative not because it is as competitive as northern corridor but that it would be a strategic alternative when issues arise from the forthcoming elections.