Amid the race of establishing the SGR network in the East African region, Uganda has just recently launched the Tororo-Kampala SGR Construction. This launching was done by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. The construction works of this project are expected to be conducted within 48 months. The construction works of this railway section will be undertaken by the Turkish firm, Yapi Merkezi. Moreover, this upcoming railway section is expected to run a length of 272 kilometers.
Earlier on, Uganda’s infrastructure development plans received a boost in realization after the East African nation signed a $3 billion deal with Turkey’s Yapı Merkezi. This deal entailed the construction of the 272-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway. The railway plans to extend and link Kampala to Malaba at the border. The Kenyan SGR will provide a link to the Uganda rail network and to the Port of Mombasa on the Kenyan territory. This project is part of a bigger plan to develop an extra 1,700-kilometer electric rail system that will transform the transport sector and enhance the flow of goods between regions in Uganda.
As for the train speed on this SGR project, the cargo trains will be expected to move at a speed of100km/h. On the other hand, the passenger trains are expected to move at a speed of 120km/h. Additionally, this railway project is expected to have an impressive capacity of transporting up to 25 million tons of cargo annually.
Completion date
The construction is to commence in November 2024 and would take 48 months to complete the project. The domestic expenditure together with credit from export finance organizations will be used to finance the project in Uganda. When finished transport costs will drop significantly, and trade will be enhanced cutting the cost of moving goods from the inland origins to the costal ports thus enhancing Uganda’s economy.
Read also $12.8 Billion Uganda SGR Project Commences
Yapı Merkezi that has started the construction after China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) could not proceed financing. The latter is a player who has a plenty of experience in East Africa infrastructure industry.
Significance of the Project
According to President Museveni, “This upcoming SGR project is crucial part of a wider long-term plan that is foreseen to address congestion in Uganda’s roads.” Additionally, among several advantages that this railway project will bring to Uganda, it is expected to cut significantly the transportation costs by half.
Of the African countries, Kenya was the first to embark on the construction of its SGR which it finalized in the Mombasa to Nairobi and by 2019 to Naivasha. On this aspect it has enhanced the movement of freights within Kenya. Additionally, it provides a faster and a more efficient link to Uganda. Kenya and Tanzania have embarked on the implementation of SGRs as part of their strategic drive. This step by the two countries will foster the EAC’s objective of the development of a regional rail system. This railway system will facilitate integrated commerce centers in the region.
Similar projects in East Africa
These developments in Kenya, Tanzania, and now Uganda show that modern rail transport is a major key towards enhancing the transport infrastructure in this region. The new Kampala to Malaba SGR networks will help shift from the reliance on roads. Moreover, it will also enhance the cost of doing business through efficient transportation of goods. This kind of collective effort in infrastructure modernization is important in enhancement of East Africa’s comparatives in trade. This is strategic especially when the region is keen on attracting more investors.
Yapi Merkezi a Crucial Player (Contractor) in Developing East Africa’s SGR Infrastructure
It is also rather remarkable how Turkey increases its presence in Africa, especially given that Yapı Merkezi operates in this continent. Today, construction companies from Turkey dominate the African market, implementing more than $ 85 billion worth of contracts by 2023.
The Turkish firm is also responsible in the construction of the SGR in Tanzania which stretches at 1,219 kilometers from the port of Dar es Salaam to the land locked zones. Like Uganda’s SGR, Tanzania’s SGR seeks to open up regional trade. This will be achieved through links to Rwanda and Burundi. Tanzania’s SGR has direct rival of Kenya’s transportation network for cargo traffic from the hinterland countries.
Project factsheet
Constructor: Yapi Merkezi
Start date: November 2024.
Completion date: 2028.
Construction cost: $3 billion.
Location: Kampala to Malaba
Cargo capacity: 25 million tones annually
Speed: 100km/h cargo train, 120km/h passenger train
Challenges Facing the East African Standard Gauge Railway Project
Initially, this SGR project was initially intended to be an East African project. However, it faced quite a number of challenges which are mainly rooted to the financial problems. Kenya did construct its section of the East African SGR project, but it did not connect it to Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
Read also Kenya-Uganda SGR Construction Project to Resume
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