Uganda is on course to begin construction of Malaba – Kampala SGR route

After months of delay, Uganda is on finally on course to build its side of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which will connect Uganda to Kenya at the Malaba Border point, according to the Ugandan government.

Construction of the multi-million rail project is expected to begin in 2018 and will link Northern Uganda to South Sudan and Rwanda

Uganda has prioritized the 273Kms Malaba – Kampala route, which is expected to cost $2.3 billion.

Project authorities say there in advanced stages of a financial closure with China’s EXIM Bank.

Land compensation and acquisition negotiations had delayed the project for years but it seems it has finally been sorted out.

Available reports indicate that over 60 per cent of the project land has been acquired and compensation of the affected persons is on-going.

Uganda insistence on a guarantee from the Kenyan government, that the section of the railway will reach the Kenya – Uganda border town of Malaba had also dragged the project from commencing on time.

Kenya has already completed the work between Mombasa and Nairobi, with the second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway from Nairobi to Naivasha already on course and set to be completed in 36 months from the initial 54 months.

Once completed, Kenya plans to extend the railway from Naivasha – Kisumu after securing funding from China.

Uganda Project authorities say if all goes as planned, construction is expected to begin sometime in 2018.

The project is expected to extend to Northern Uganda through to South Sudan and later to Rwanda through Western Uganda.

Once completed the SGR is expected to reduce heavy traffic along Malaba - Kampala route, easing road wear in the process not to mention interlinking the East African economies.