By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has started moving cement for Hima Cement Limited from its facility in Tororo to Namanve.
According to a statement issued by URC today, Thursday, 11th November, 2026, the partnership is a major step in growing URC’s domestic freight business.
The first consignment is made up of 15 wagons carrying a total of 540 tonnes of cement. Once the service is fully running, URC and Hima Cement plan to move up to 30,000 tonnes of cement each month by rail.
Moving the same 540-tonne load by road would take about 18 heavy-duty trucks, each carrying 30 tonnes. At the planned volume of 30,000 tonnes a month, rail could take about 1,000 truck trips off the road every month.
Carrying the cargo in a single train has several benefits including fewer trucks on the busy highway, less road damage, fewer handling points and less risk of damage, theft, or accidents on the way and reliable delivery.
The partnership gives Uganda’s cement industry a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to move bulk cargo. It also supports the Government’s efforts to shift heavy freight from road to rail.
URC is also engaging other manufacturers to have their cargo shifted to rail along the entire network.
