By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
President Yoweri Museveni has today, Saturday, 21st December, 2024 commissioned the 26.8km Mukono-Kampala Metre Gauge Railway Line rehabilitated with concrete sleepers.
Accompanied Minister of Transport and Works, General Katumba Wamala, Minister of State for Works Musa Ecweru, President Museveni presided over a historic moment where the Railway Line has been rehabilitated by use of concrete sleepers manufactured in Kawoolo, Lugazi.
“One year ago he commissioned the Concrete Sleepers making factory in Kawoolo, Lugazi and today he commissions the railway line rehabilitated with sleepers locally manufactured from the only concrete sleeper making factory in East Africa,” reads a Ministry of Works and Transport statement on X.
Works on the Kampala – Mukono section (26.8km) of the Meter Gauge line commenced in April 2023.
On this section of Kampala – Mukono, Ministry of Transport ans Works chose to use the new technology of concrete sleepers, a shift from the steel sleepers.
Concrete slippers were chosen because it is more stable, cannot be vandalized, and improved the capacity of the line to carry more load, and at increased speeds.
Passengers can now be able to move on rail from Kampala to Mukono, as plans to extend the passenger service further on the Northern corridor gain momentum.
The 26.8km Railway Line is vital in alleviating transport challanges on the very busy and congested Kampala-Mukono road.
The commutter train currently has a capacity of transporting 650 persons on a single trip. The rehabilitated section is fitted with 185Kg concrete sleepers and designed for speeds of upto 120km/hr. A significant upgrade from the old infrastructure which allowed for only 20-30kms/hr.
General Katumba also revealed that with part of the 301 Million dollar facility from the African Development Bank (AFDB) for the East African Railways Rehabilitation Project, government is set to commence works on the Kampala-Kyengera and Kampala-Portbell railway line.
“With these two sections, the long hours of travel due to congestion along those routes will ably be addressed,” he said.
H.E the President, while commissioning the newly rehabilitated Mukono-Kampala concrete sleeper railway line highlighted the importance of reviving the nation’s railway infrastructure.
Currently works are ongoing on the 382Km Tororo-Gulu line, rehabilitation of the Tororo-Kampala line was completed and efforts are underway to embark on the construction of the Kampala-Kyengera line and Kampala Portbell
