New Uganda Railways Corporations Locomotives Arrive

A total of four new locomotives belonging to Uganda Railways Cooperation have reached Mombasa and are soon headed for Kampala. The 3000 Horsepower train engines were procured by Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Works and Transport from General Motors-EMD (Electro-Mechanical Division). According to government, this procurement is part of the 1 billion-dollar program that was recently announced to revamp rail transport in the country and it will be implemented throughout the next five years.

The Managing Director of URC Mr. Stanley Ssendegeya said the new locomotives will help support operations along the existing Kampala-Naivasha sector as work commenced to restore the larger rail network. Government is set to spend approximately 1.8 trillion shillings to revamp rail transport network in the country. This will involve restoration of a 500km rail along the old Totoro-Gulu-Pakwach line.

The works Ministry is also going to strengthen the Kampala- Malaba line through replacement and adjustment of the gauge in order to enable it carry heavier cargo and improve on the speeds. Mr Ssendegeya also revealed that such upgrade is important because it is also required for easy transportation of equipment during the extension of Standard Gauge Railway from Kenya to Uganda.