Railway Assessment
Uganda’s railway network consists of a total 1266 km (route length) of single track, built to Meter Gauge Standard (MGR - 39 inches/1000 mm between rails) and spanning the Northern, East/Central and Western regions.
Another 1706km of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR - 56 inches/1435 mm wide between the rails) is being planned in Uganda to run parallel to the existing MGR but extending further to the borders of Nimule, Vurra, and Mpondwe.
- All existing and planned Railway networks falls under the management of the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC): Uganda Railway Corporation | (urc.go.ug)
- Currently, the MGR is fully managed by the URC after the termination of a 25-year concession with the Rift Valley Railway (RVR) in June 2017 due to poor performance.
- Of the 1266 km of the existing Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) in country, only 21% of the network is operational:
- Malaba-Tororo-Kampala line (251 km) which links Uganda to Port Mombasa via the Northern Corridor Route.
- The Tororo – Mbale line (55 km), which links to the Northern Corridor and Port Mombasa to the industrial area of Mbale.
- The recently rehabilitated Kampala-Port bell line (9 km) which mainly links Uganda to Dar es Salaam via Lake Victoria and the Central Corridor (the link to Port Mombasa and the Northern Corridor via Kisumu Port on Lake Victoria is no longer operational).
- The Kampala-Nalukolongo line (5 km), a connection to the main Nalukolongo Workshop and Good shed Kampala is also operational.
Travel Time Matrix:
Travel time between Malaba and Kampala increased from 18.5hours in 2016 to almost 24hrs in 2017 and remained above 20hrs in 2018-2019 at a commercial speed of 20-21km/hr vs the design speed of 55km/hr. The turnaround time that had been reduced in 2015 (i.e., to 16-12 days) has increased again to approximately one month.
Poor and worsening financial results have put rail operations in a critical situation as expenses have not been reduced at the same path as declining revenue from an ever-smaller market. Costs per ton*km reached almost double than revenue. URC is dealing with this critical situation through reduced costs and developing other business as the southern route to Port Bell and marine services.
Table 2.4.6. Uganda: Travel Time Matrix.
Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (Hours/days/ or weeks)
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Capital
|
Town A |
Town B |
Town C |
Town D |
Town E |
Town F |
Town G |
Capital
|
|
Malaba (Kenya) |
Tororo |
Jinja |
Kampala |
Port Bell |
Mombasa (Kenya) |
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) |
Town A
|
Malaba (Kenya) |
0 |
0:55 hour |
|
18 hours |
|
|
|
Town B
|
Tororo |
|
0 |
9:10 hours |
|
|
|
|
Town C
|
Jinja |
|
|
0 |
11:39 hours |
|
|
|
Town D
|
Kampala |
18 hours |
|
|
0 |
0:23 hour |
15 days |
|
Town E
|
Port Bell |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Town F
|
Mombasa (Kenya) |
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Town G
|
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
Other planned projects:
The Government of Uganda through Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is undertaking rehabilitation works for the Tororo – Namanve section: Rehabilitation of Tororo to Namanve Railway Line | Uganda Railway corporation (urc.go.ug)
The European Union and the Government of Uganda are supporting the development initiative for Northern Uganda through the rehabilitation of Tororo-Gulu railway line. This route will also provide a link between the port of Mombasa and Northern and Eastern Uganda, as well as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo: Tororo – Gulu Railway Rehabilitation | Uganda Railway corporation (urc.go.ug)
The Gulu Logistics hub is designed as a dry port with rail and truck terminals for transportation, transhipment, organization, separation, coordination, and distribution of cargo for national and international transit on a commercial basis: Gulu Logistics Hub | Uganda Railway corporation (urc.go.ug)
For more information on Uganda Railway Corporation Capacity Development programs, please see following link: Capacity Building Program | Uganda Railway corporation (urc.go.ug)
[1] Ministry of Works, 2020, Preparation of the National Integrated Transport Master Plan 2021-2040
[2] Ministry of Works, 2020, Preparation of the National Integrated Transport Master Plan 2021-2040
[3] Ministry of Works, 2020, Preparation of the National Integrated Transport Master Plan 2021-2040
According to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Uganda is located in a key position for regional trade corridors and regional development in connecting the landlocked, resource-rich countries with an external port (Kenya's Port of Mombasa): Japan International Cooperation Agency (jica.go.jp)
The LAPSSET Corridor Program is Eastern Africa’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure project bringing together Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan with improved rail connections and oil pipelines. The LAPSSET corridor will mean that South Sudan volumes will not be any more a captive traffic for Uganda, although Tororo to Gulu railway line and Ugandan Logistics Hubs may provide some competitive advantages to retain some of this traffic in the short term: LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority – Building Transformative and Game Changer Infrastructure for a Seamless Connected Africa
Central Corridor (Dar es Salaam – Kampala) construction of SGR railway line:
The Central Corridor by railway links Uganda through the inland port of Mwanza on Lake Victoria and onto Dar es Salaam Port also links Burundi and Eastern DRC through the inland port of Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika: Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority: Reports (ttcanc.org)
The Tanzanian government is working on initiatives to revitalize the Central Corridor (by 2025) targeting reduced turnaround time between Kampala to Mwanza to just 10 hours. Work is ongoing on the Tanzania standard gauge railway where the main objective is to construct a Standard Gauge railway network from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza (1219kms). The project plans to use of advanced technology for electrified carriage with a maximum speed of 160 kph for passenger trains and 120 kph for freight trains (with capacity of 35 tons per axle). Challenges identified that are associated with this trade route include:- Lake Victoria (Mwanza-Kampala) is served by only two (2) vessels, that is Mv Pamba and Mv Umoja. However, Mv Uhuru is also operational along that route, and is currently covering the section of Kisumu to Mwanza.
- The road user fee ($520) for Ugandan registered trucks has made the central corridor expensive and uncompetitive for shippers and transporters.
- Storage related issues at the port such as demurrage is due to the negligence of some of the stakeholders at the Port of Dar es Salaam.
- Telecommunications between Uganda and Tanzania is expensive
- Uganda’s customs agents need access to TANCIS
Northern Corridor (Port of Mombasa – Kampala) construction of SGR railway line.
The Northern Corridor railway includes 485 km-long Standard Gauge line from the port of Mombasa to Nairobi Inland Container Deport (ICD).
In Port of Mombasa the cargo throughput includes break-bulk, liquid bulk, dry bulk, containerized cargo, transit cargo, and transshipment.Table 2.4.4. Uganda: Government connected rail sidings to the MGR line
Name of Siding
|
Length (km) |
Location |
---|---|---|
Roofings – Namanve |
0,57 |
Kampala |
Nomi Siding |
0,48 |
Kampala |
Ntake Siding |
1,44 |
Kampala |
Liberty Siding |
1,04 |
Kampala |
Mukono ICD Siding |
0,57 |
Mukono |
Bidco Siding |
2,22 |
Jinja |
Nile Agro Industries LTD |
0,22 |
Jinja |
Table 2.4.5. Uganda: Private connected rail sidings to the MGR line
Name of Siding
|
Length (km) |
Location |
---|---|---|
Acme Cargo LTD |
0,61 |
Nalukolongolo |
Caltex Oil (U) LTD |
0,16 |
Kampala |
Esso Standard (U) LTD |
0,26 |
Kampala |
Gailey and Roberts |
0,38 |
Kampala |
Gulu Municipal Office (World Food Programme) |
1,27 |
Gulu |
Kempton Trading CO |
0,20 |
Kampala |
Kengrow Industries LTD |
0,12 |
Jinja |
Kengrow Industries LTD |
0,21 |
Jinja |
Kenfreight |
0,35 |
Kampala |
Lira Spinning Mill |
0,90 |
Lira |
Lunco Industries LTD |
0,49 |
Namanve |
MAERSK SEALAND |
1,30 |
Kampala |
Mukwano Industries |
0,44 |
Kampala |
Muddu Awulira |
0,46 |
Mukono |
Produce Marketing Board |
0,58 |
Kampala |
Shell (U) LTD |
0,30 |
Kampala |
Total (U) LTD |
0,46 |
Kampala |
UGACOF LTD |
1,16 |
Namanve |
Uganda Cement Industry |
1,38 |
Tororo |
Uganda Electricity Board |
0,08 |
Tororo |
Uganda Grain Milling Company LTD |
1,93 |
Jinja |
Uganda Meat Packers LTD |
1,08 |
Soroti |
URA |
0,85 |
Kampala |
Universal Asbestos Manufacturing Co LTD |
1,40 |
Tororo |
Key Route Information:
The development of the standard gauge railway in Kenya and Tanzania potentially heralds a new era for inland freight logistics in the region.
SGR comes with potential to haul large volumes of cargo in more cheaply and faster way compared to road transport. The Northern and Central Corridors comprise of multimodal transport networks consisting of road, rail, pipeline, and inland waterways transport connecting the landlocked countries to the seaports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam respectively. Both ports serve the great lakes countries of east and central Africa region.Table 2.4.3. Uganda: Key Stations information.
Key Stations Information
|
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tororo
|
Jinja |
Mukono ICD |
Namanve |
Kampala |
Port Bell |
Location and area (m2)
|
|
Jinja Port 4,000 m2 |
New Mukono ICD 130,000 m2 |
|
Kampala Goods Shed 120,000 m2 |
Port Bell 12,500 m2 |
Contact Information
|
|
URC |
URC |
|
URC |
URC |
Connections with other Transport Means
|
|
Road connection to Jinja, bad condition, ferry terminal |
Transshipment of container from rail to Mukono road in a good condition |
|
Connection to Entebbe Road in a bad condition |
Road connection from Kampala to Ro-Ro wagon ferry terminal with Connection to Mwanza |
Storage capacity (m2 and m3)
|
|
No |
1,500 m2 bonded warehouse and 350 m2 shed |
|
15,000 m2 4 bonded Warehouses |
1,500 m2 bonded warehouse |
Handling Equipment
|
|
No |
1 non-operational Reach Stacker |
|
1 operational and 2 non-operational Reach teStacker |
No |
Handling Capacity
|
|
No |
1,400 TEU Container Cargo |
|
500 TEU container depot with 2 container platforms |
Low |
Security |
|
No |
Fence, cameras, lights |
|
Partially fenced, no cameras, no lights |
Fence, cameras, no lights |
Customs |
|
No |
Yes, Customs clearance and inspection |
|
Yes, Customs clearance and inspection |
Yes, Customs clearance and inspection |
Other Comments
|
|
N/A |
2 sidings |
|
9 sidings to warehouse and container depot |
General Cargo Berth |
Key Sidings:
The MGR network consists of 49 sidings to different private industries totalling to 30.52km, with some having been constructed as early as 1950.
Of these, 11 Sidings totalling to 4.31km are in place but no longer connected to the Mainline. These and a good bulk of the other disused sidings have either overgrown with grass or have been overlaid by earth material.Table 2.4.2. Uganda: Rail Operator Capacity.
URC Rail Operator Capacity
|
|||
---|---|---|---|
|
Ugandan Railway Corporation (URC)
|
Capacity |
Comments |
Lines Operates on
|
1280 km MGR |
|
|
Max Train Length and / or pulling capacity
|
17 wagons / 760 MT |
|
|
Locomotives
|
17 |
|
|
Covered Freight Wagons Size (m)
|
175 |
17.4/39.4/56.8T |
|
Flatbed Wagons Size (m)
|
358 |
12.7/46.0/58.7T and 14.7/46.0/60.7T |
Only 1 54.7T and 1 17.8/39.0/56.8T |
High-Sided Freight Wagons (m)
|
10 |
15.9/37.0/52.9T |
|
Drop-side Freight Wagons (m)
|
1 |
12.7/46.0/58.7T |
|
Ballast Hopper
|
22 |
18.5/38.3/56.8T |
|
Key Stations:
The MGR in Uganda has over 62 stations, including 3 sub-stations and 3 future stations.
Majority of the Station buildings are dilapidated and out of use except a few of the major ones along the Eastern Line (Kampala-Malaba); these include,- Tororo
- Jinja
- Mukono ICD
- Namanve
- Kampala (Headquarters)
The URC has a total of 17 operational Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives of Classes 36, 62,73, and 74 manufactured by Thyssen Henschel between 1978-1990 (the oldest locomotive being 41 years old and the majority of the rolling stock is due for overhaul).
The Class 62, 73 and 74 locomotives are used both for Passenger & Engineering trains while Class 36 locomotives are used for shunting. Due to limited horsepower, for use on Mainlines, Class 73 and 74 have to be intercoupled so that they can pull up to 17 wagons (760 tonnes) compared to the 7 wagons (350 tonnes) supported by each individually. URC does not own any Mainline Locomotives and for this purpose uses class 94 and class 93 locomotives which belong to Kenya Railways Corporation and four Class 96 Diesel Electric locomotives (2600HP) which belong to Stanbic Bank as collateral for a loan taken by RVR. The URC has 7 operational coaches, 5 of which are currently running the Kampala-Namanve Passenger service. Failures of non-operational locomotives were mainly due to either vandalism, accident damage and/or lack of repair parts.
Table 2.4.1. Uganda: Domestic Standard Route Information.
Domestic Standard Route Information
|
||||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tororo
|
Kampala |
Nalukulongolo |
Port Bell |
Track Gauge
|
MGS 1000 mm |
MGS 1000 mm |
MGS 1000 mm |
MGS 1000 mm |
Ruling Gradient
|
15-18 MT |
15-18 MT |
15-18 MT |
15-18 MT |
Total Track Distance
|
Single |
Single |
Single |
Single |
Type of Rail |
40 kg Jointed rail |
40 kg Jointed rail |
40 kg Jointed rail |
40 kg Jointed rail |
Type of sleeper and Fastenings
|
Fish plates and bolts |
Fish plates and bolts |
Fish plates and bolts |
Fish plates and bolts |
Total Track Travel Time
|
55 km/hour |
55 km/hour |
55 km/hour |
55 km/hour |
Maintenance |
Marginal/Bad |
Marginal/Bad |
Marginal/Bad |
Marginal/Bad |
Companies / Consortiums operating the line
|
|
|
|
|
Traffic Frequency |
Monthly / weekly / daily |
|
|
|
Security |
Marginal/Bad |
Marginal/Bad |
Marginal/Bad |
Marginal/Bad |
Main Stations
|
|
|
|
|
Capacity Table:
The MGR line been built over 100 years ago is coupled with inefficiencies in maintenance and the majority of the MGR line are either in poor condition and/or in a state of disrepair.
Only 21% of track is motorable and is characterized by major sleeper and ballast degradation. About 10% of railway stations are fully operational and 42% of bridges are structurally impaired especially along the Western line. The URC’s fleet of operational rollingstock consists of 17 Locomotives, 8 coaches and over 600 wagons. An inspection done in 2017 revealed that 55% of the operational fleet of rollingstock were due for overhaul or recommended for scrapping.[3]Network Infrastructure
The main freight terminal is in the Central Business District (Kampala Goods shed). It has an estimated capacity of 37 wagons, 200 covered wagons and container capacity of circa 500 TEU. The main maintenance depot is located at Nalukolongo workshop. Other depots are located at Kampala, Jinja and Tororo; however due to breakdown of equipment, only minor maintenance/inspection operations are carried out at the other depots. An Inland Container Depot (built 2015) at Kyetume Mukono has 1,400 TEU capacity and it is estimated that about 90% of all rail imports are handled at Mukono ICD. The rail network contains of two wagon ferry terminals on Lake Victoria i.e., Port bell & Jinja Pier. Except for private ships run by BIDCO; Jinja Pier is no longer operational. At Port Bell 2 wagon ferries MV Umoja (belonging to Tanzania Railways Corporation) and MV Kaawa (belonging to URC) each with capacity of 19 and 22 wagons respectively are operational. The main challenges faced by URC in terms of maintenance include:- Reliance on sub-optimal subsystems that increase the maintenance burden.
- Obsolescence so that spare parts are not readily available.
- Lack of funding.
- Heavy reliance on manual operations.
- Ageing workforce and lack of equipment in general.[2]
- Vandalism and encroachment of railway assets.
- Obsolescence of key equipment and machinery.
- Sub-optimal system components.
- Low levels of mechanization (of key operations such as maintenance).
SGR Network
The existing Uganda Railway Network consists of Single-track lines built to Metric Gauge Standard (1000mm). These lines were lightly constructed using a mix of 75 lb/yd (37.2 kg/m) and 80lb/yd (40kg/m) of Jointed rail. This limits the capacity of the rail line to permissible axle loads ranging from 15-18 ton depending on the section and the design speed to 55km/hr.
MGR Network
The MGR was lightly constructed using a mix of 75 lb/yd (37.2 kg/m) and 80lb/yd (40kg/m) of Jointed rail, limiting the permissible axle loads to 15-18 tonnes and a design speed of 55km/hr. MGR infrastructure includes over 46 Bridges typically single span; 21 along the Western Route (Kampala-Kasese), 7 within Kampala, 12 along the Eastern line. There are also 49 sidings to private industries totalling to over 30km and over 62 stations.[1] The URC mainly operates freight services, however in 2015 passenger services were reinstated on the MGR between Kampala and Namanve stations (12km)The other non-operational lines consist 79% of the network:
- Tororo-Gulu-Pakwach (504 km),
- Nalukolongo-Kasese (330 km),
- Jinja-Mbulamuti-Busembatia & Mbulamuti-Namasagali loop (171 km)
- Jinja Port and Tororo Cement Factory (10 km).