The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has condemned an increase in cases of vandalism on sections of the newly installed railway line. The corporation is currently revamping the Kampala-Mukono section, with Kampala-Namanve having been completed.

The remarks were made by David Lubega Musoke, the Managing Director of Uganda Railways Corporation, on March 18, 2024, during an interview with journalists in Kampala.

Musoke said that they have registered cases of people trying to vandalise the materials at Mbuya, dumping garbage, and selling merchandise, especially at the Namboole section, hence disrupting the completion of the railway works.

‘’We have noticed an increase in the disappearance of ballast (stones), vandalising of railway switches (points), and stealing of newly installed signage on the new section of Kampala-Namanve, and this is so bad because it is taking us backwards,’’ he said.

Musoke added that the corporation intends to resume passenger services on the newly refurbished line, but people are dumping a lot of rubbish and selling merchandise along the way, which is dangerous and a threat to the running and operation of trains.

He noted that the project should be recognised since it is going to be a more stable track that can allow faster track operations and competitive freight and passenger transportation services offered by URC.

Musoke appealed to the public and those in the surrounding areas of the newly installed railway line to cooperate with URC as the railway is revived in a bid to promote decongestion of traffic in town and to have a smooth running of the trains.

He cautioned the populace against dumping garbage, especially around the Namboole area, because this is one of the threats that is making them lag behind, yet the corporation intends to resume passenger services on the newly refurbished Kampala-Mukono section.

He asked all parties to work together to ensure the safety of both passengers and products transported along the railway line, stressing that the security of the railway infrastructure is of utmost importance.