The government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Egyptian infrastructure firm Orascom Construction to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The agreement allows Orascom to undertake an 18-month technical and financial assessment of the proposed project, which is expected to improve urban mobility and support the long-term development of a modern public transportation system in and around Kampala.
The signing of the memorandum was witnessed by the Minister of Works and Transport, Katumba Wamala, who described the initiative as an important step toward addressing the city’s growing transport challenges.
“This is a crucial step towards addressing the city’s growing transportation challenges,” Wamala said, noting that Kampala continues to experience increasing traffic congestion due to rapid urbanisation and population growth.
According to the minister, the feasibility study will focus on improving mobility along key transport corridors linking the capital with surrounding urban centres.
These include the Kampala–Entebbe route, the Kampala–Kira corridor and the Kampala–Wakiso axis.
Officials say these corridors carry a significant share of daily commuter traffic within the metropolitan area and have been prioritised for potential rail-based mass transit solutions.
The proposed Light Rail Transit system forms part of Uganda’s broader strategy to develop a modern, efficient and environmentally sustainable urban transport network capable of supporting the region’s economic growth.
The project is expected to complement existing road infrastructure and reduce pressure on the city’s congested road network.
According to Uganda Railways Corporation, preliminary plans indicate that the LRT system could transport up to 15,000 passengers per hour in each direction once operational.
Officials say the system would be electrified, helping to reduce emissions and contribute to improved air quality in the metropolitan area.
Urban planners have long argued that Kampala requires a mass transit system to cope with increasing traffic volumes, which have resulted in long commuting times and productivity losses.
The feasibility study will examine the technical design of the rail network, projected passenger demand, financing options and potential environmental and social impacts.
If the study confirms the project’s viability, it could pave the way for the construction of Uganda’s first urban light rail network, potentially transforming public transportation in the capital.
Authorities say the initiative also aligns with regional development strategies aimed at improving connectivity between Kampala and surrounding municipalities, which collectively form the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The metropolitan region includes several fast-growing urban centres and serves as the country’s main economic hub.
Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport said the feasibility study would provide critical data needed to guide decision-making on the project and attract potential investors and development partners.
If implemented, the Light Rail Transit system could significantly reshape how residents move across the metropolitan area while supporting sustainable urban growth.
