Egyptian construction giant Orascom Construction is exploring plans to build modern rail systems in Uganda to tackle traffic congestion in Kampala and boost urban mobility, following talks with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Cairo on Monday.
The proposals, presented by Orascom executives Tamer Shafik and Gamal Farid, include light rail, elevated monorail, and underground metro lines — solutions the company has implemented in other African and Middle Eastern cities.
“You are most welcome. Come to Uganda and we will discuss,” President Museveni told the Orascom delegation, adding: “We are losing a lot of money in fuel in traffic without moving and poisoning the environment. The impact is not good, damaging the roads.”
According to the Uganda National Roads Authority, traffic congestion in Kampala costs the economy an estimated UGX 2.8 trillion annually (about USD 750 million) in lost productivity, wasted fuel, and health impacts.
The city’s vehicle fleet has been growing at over 10% annually, with more than 500,000 registered vehicles now competing for limited road space.
Orascom Construction, one of Africa’s largest infrastructure companies, has built major transport projects in Egypt, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia, including sections of Cairo’s metro system and regional railway networks.
The company’s entry into Uganda would mark one of the most ambitious urban transport upgrades in the country’s history.
