Technical meetings for Uganda’s long-awaited Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project have commenced in all 12 districts set to host the railway corridor, beginning with Tororo, as preparations intensify ahead of the official construction phase.
The engagements mark a key milestone in the rollout of the multi-billion-dollar railway project, which is expected to modernize Uganda’s freight transport system and strengthen regional trade connectivity along the Northern Corridor linking Uganda to Kenya.
The exercise brings together a technical team comprising officials from Yapi Merkezi, the firm contracted to construct the railway, representatives from the World Bank, and environmental specialists.
The teams are engaging local technical stakeholders on environmental and social safeguard requirements, land acquisition progress, and community preparedness ahead of full project implementation.
According to SGR Public Relations Officer David Olele, the ongoing engagement forms part of a broader environmental and social audit being conducted along the entire corridor from Tororo to Kampala.
“They are doing an audit on the effects of the railway on the environment. The environmental and social audit is going to be done across the corridor from Tororo to Kampala,” Olele said.
He further explained that under a Limited Notice to Proceed (LNP), several preparatory works are already underway, including early infrastructure development, logistics setup, and industrial support facilities along the corridor.
“Under the contract called Limited Notice to Proceed (LNP), a lot is happening. A slipper factory has been set up in Iganga, labour camp construction is ongoing among others. The contractor has also completed its geotechnical studies,” Olele added.
The SGR project, also referred to in planning documents as part of the wider East African Standard Gauge Railway network, is designed to replace the aging Meter Gauge Railway and reduce pressure on Uganda’s road network, particularly the heavily trafficked Malaba-Kampala highway.
On land acquisition, which began in 2016, Olele noted that government has made significant progress in securing the railway corridor ahead of construction.
“Between Tororo and Mayuge, we have done over 95% compensation. Between Mayuge and Jinja, we have done about 85%. Now we are only remaining with three districts of Mukono, Wakiso and Kampala and the process is ongoing,” he said.
Local leaders in Tororo have welcomed the development, saying the project is expected to transform transport and trade while creating employment opportunities for residents.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Tororo, Albert Amula, noted that the current heavy trailer traffic along the Malaba-Kampala corridor poses safety and infrastructure challenges that the railway is expected to ease.
“When you look at the Malaba road, you will see a lot of trailers carrying goods to Kampala and neighbouring countries, which pose risks to our people. This will soon reduce once the railway becomes operational,” Amula said.
From Tororo, the technical teams are expected to proceed to the remaining affected districts to conduct environmental and social impact assessments, finalise stakeholder consultations, and complete preparatory works before full-scale construction of the Standard Gauge Railway begins.