Government Kicks Off Rehabilitation of Railway lines

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The Minister of transport and works Gen. Katumba Wamala revealed that, the Government through its Uganda Railway Corporation has started rehabilitating the century-old rail line from Tororo to Namanve section to boost bulk cargo transportation and to cut the cost of road maintenance.

The emergency repair will cost government 51.8 million USD with the contract awarded to China Roads and Bridge Corporation, a Chinese firm, and the UPDF’s National Enterprise Corporation. Dai Dexim the country manager CRBC vowed to exploit the company’s potential to finish the work in the stipulated 10 months.

Lt. Gen. James Mugira the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEC warned against vandalism and theft of materials during the course of work.

Business Partners from Mukwano and Roofings Ltd embraced the project saying that for long, companies have been facing a number of challenges like road blocks, accidents, traffic jams and low tonnage.

General Katumba said that repairing the rail line will reduce the road maintenance costs as it will reduce heavy cargo trucks plying the Kampala-Tororo -Busia road.

The current worn-out 1,266km meter gauge network was built by the former colonial power Britain a century ago, mainly to transport copper and other commodities. The network fell into disrepair during years of political upheaval and economic instability.