The Uganda Railways Corporation is reviewing bids for a $48 million project to supply ten diesel-electric locomotives. The rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu line is underway, with plans for modernization supported by significant financing. URC aims to address declining cargo volume through infrastructure upgrades, significantly enhancing railway operations in Uganda.
The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is currently assessing bids from Chinese and South Korean companies for a $48 million deal to supply ten new diesel-electric locomotives. Bidding closed on March 7, with four firms participating, including China Shandong International Limited and CRRC Qishuyan Company Limited from China, as well as South Korea’s Dalian Lambo Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
URC spokesperson John Linonn Sengendo confirmed that these locomotives are intended for use on the rehabilitated Tororo-Gulu route and to enhance operations on the Malaba to Kampala main line. The contractor aims to complete the project by December, as stated by Mr. Sengendo, making it a ten-month timeframe from the start.
The rehabilitation of the 375-kilometer Tororo-Gulu line, financed by the Ugandan government at Shs199.9 billion ($54.14 million), is projected to conclude by December 2025. This project entails vital enhancements such as drainage improvements, new culverts, and the rehabilitation of steel girder bridges and railway tracks.
Additionally, URC is in the process of overhauling the 265-kilometer Malaba-Mukono track, as part of a broader five-year initiative to modernize the railway system. Funded by the African Development Bank, this $301 million project will encompass the procurement of wagons, rehabilitation of railway stations, and enhancements of port infrastructure.
Currently, URC transports approximately 250,000 tonnes of cargo each year, a decline from the one million tonnes transported in 2006. This decrease is largely attributed to outdated infrastructure, which the African Development Bank-funded project aims to rectify. URC’s rail line is a critical segment of the East African Community’s Northern Corridor, linking Kampala to Kenya’s seaport in Mombasa.
In summary, the Uganda Railways Corporation is actively evaluating bids for new diesel-electric locomotives as part of a concerted effort to revitalize its services. The rehabilitation of key rail lines, supported by substantial government and international funding, aims to enhance cargo transport capacity and improve infrastructure. With strategic projects underway, URC seeks to reverse declining cargo volumes and facilitate better connectivity within the region.
Original Source: www.pmldaily.com
