The Minister of State for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance,
Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku has stated that the Cabinet has approved
the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project in Uganda.

Minister Baluku said this while addressing the media on July 31, 2024, at the Uganda Media Center.

According to Kabbyanga, the project developed under the sponsorships of the Northern Corridor Infrastructure Projects Protocol (NCIP) is a critical step in enabling economic growth and fostering a conclusive investment Environment for both domestic and foreign stakeholders.

He said that one of the project’s goals is to improve transportation efficiency by building a state-of-the-art, quick, dependable, and high- capacity rail network that will shorten travel times, cut down on transportation expenses, and make it easier to move people and products.

“It will promote economic growth by creating seamless connectivity within Uganda and neighboring countries, to stimulate trade, investment, and industrial development, and facilitate regional integration as part of broader regional integration efforts aligning with the Northern Corridor Infrastructure Projects Protocol and promoting closer economic ties and collaboration with regional partners,” Kabbyanga said.

Additionally, he revealed that the Ministry of Works and Transport is in advanced steps of procuring a contractor M/s Yapi Merkezi, a Turkish firm, to carry out the engineering, procurement, and construction for the Malaba – Kampala route.

He also said that Uganda will be hosting the 7th Community- Based Rehabilitation Africa Conference from September 9 to 13, 2024, at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe, under the theme “Advancing Community-Based Rehabilitation for a Disability Inclusive Society”

This follows the cabinet sitting on Monday, July 29, 2024, which discussed the progress and future outlook of the SGR Project in Uganda.

Kenya and Uganda set out to establish a Standard Gauge Railway System from Mombasa to Kampala via Nairobi and Kisumu.