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Uganda is set to revitalise its railway transport system with the acquisition of 10 brand-new diesel-electric locomotives
The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) yesterday shortlisted the final four potential suppliers of the locomotives, three from China and one from South Korea.
URC issued a Specific Procurement Notice (SPN) on 14 January 2025, inviting bids for the supply of the new locomotives along with training for maintenance and operation personnel.
Out of the 34 companies that received bidding documents, only four companies submitted their bids by the deadline on 7 March 2025 at 11:00 AM.
These include China Shandong International Limited, CRRC Qishuyan Company Limited, Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Limited (South Korea), and Dalian Lambo Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
The locomotive procurement is part of the EAC Meter Gauge Railway Capacity Building Project, which is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The broader project also includes wagons, a multi-purpose water vessel, rehabilitation of stations and port infrastructure, Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), and the automation of level crossings.
Additionally, concrete sleeper lines from Kampala to Kyengera and Portbell will be constructed as part of the improvements.
Despite Uganda’s increasing electricity production, URC has opted for diesel-electric locomotives over electric ones, citing cost and infrastructure constraints.
According to John Lennon Sengendo, Senior Public Relations and Communications Officer at URC, electrification is currently planned only for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The existing Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) network will continue to operate with diesel-powered trains.
Sengendo explained that Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) offer comparable comfort and speed to Electric Multiple Units (EMUs), with speeds of up to 120 km/h, making them a viable alternative for the MGR network. He further stated that while Uganda has surplus electricity, the cost of building the necessary infrastructure for electric trains remains a significant barrier.
Ongoing Developments in Uganda’s Railway Sector
This procurement comes as Uganda embarks on ambitious railway expansion projects.
On 21 November 2024, President Yoweri Museveni launched the construction of the 272-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Malaba to Kampala. The €2.7 billion (UGX 10.8 trillion) project, being undertaken by Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi, is expected to be completed in four years.
Meanwhile, Yapi Merkezi is preparing to begin early works on the SGR line in March 2025, as Uganda moves to modernise its railway transport system for both freight and passenger services.
Future expansions will extend the SGR to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and South Sudan, further improving regional connectivity.
Why Diesel-Electric and Not Electric Trains?
1 comment
Nice.