Uganda is determined to catch –up with its EAC neigbours by constructing a modern electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line from Tororo to the capital Kampala.
This follows the signing of an agreement with a Turkish construction firm M/S Yapi Merkezi Yapi who have a joint venture with YM Global Ltd. This deal will cost Euro 2.7 billion.
The construction will cover 272KM between Tororo and Kampala and work is expected to be completed in four years (48 months.)
Tanzania has recently launched a high speed electric railway line from Dar es Salaam to the administrative city of Dodoma. Kenya is also improving its railway networks to boost regional trade after it brought online first class railway travel from the sea port of Mombasa to the capital city Nairobi.
Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala told Yapi that they should ensure that the project’s Local Content Strategy is strictly adhered to allow local participation to build capacity and benefit Ugandans throughout the project circle. The government plans to reserve 40% of the contract value for local suppliers.
“I implore you to be transparent in all matters of local content to avoid disputes which can hamper project delivery. This will enhance the acceptability of the project,” Gen Katumba stated.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport ,Waiswa Bageya ,said Uganda will use its domestic resources and financing from development partners to complete the project.
“The EPC/T model of Contracting ensures timely completion and minimizes all associated risks that the Contractor shall bear,” Bageya said at a ceremony attended by senior government officials including Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) Ramathan Ggoobi.
Dr Erdem Arioglu, Yapi Merkezi Vice chairman described the occasion as a new chapter in the Uganda-Turkish relations. Despite a delay in commencing construction, a lot has been achieved.
So far , government has acquired about 150km of land out of the 272km of the Right of Way between Malaba and Mayuge making it about 54% of the entire ROW from Malaba-Kampala. Necessary studies and harmonization of SGR plans with other infrastructure projects have also been undertaken.
Uganda will develop some- 1,700KM of SGR in a phased manner , now – starting with the Eastern Route from the border with Kenya at Malaba to Kampala (272km).
Other SGR lines include the Northern Line from Tororo-Gulu-Nimule (at the South Sudan border) (465km) with a spur from Gulu-Pakwach to Vurra (at the DR Congo border – 297 km); the Western Line from Kampala- Bihanga-Kasese – Mpondwe (DR Congo border) with a spur to Hima Cement (383Km); and Southern line from Bihanga – Mirama hills (Rwanda border) with a spur to Muko (280 km).
