The Malaba-Kampala SGR Project is a 273 km long standard gauge railway (SGR), including a 40 km branch line, extending from Malaba—on the Uganda-Kenya border—to Uganda’s capital, Kampala. The contract for the project was signed on 14th October 2024, with a value of approximately 3 billion USD and a planned duration of 48 months (plus 9 months of LNTP period).
Designed for freight transport at a maximum speed of 120 km/h, the project includes various superstructure components such as 2 major stations, 4 medium stations, 1 marshalling yard and 3 freight terminals. Once operational, the railway is expected to carry approximately 25 million tons of freight and 2,5 million of passengers annually.
The project aims to enhance regional integration between Eastern African countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi by improving access to sea via Kenya’s Mombasa Port. It also seeks to support Uganda’s economic development by providing a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective alternative to road transport, which currently handles the majority of cargo traffic.
By shifting freight transport from road to rail, the Malaba-Kampala SGR Project is set to reduce transportation costs, shorten delivery times, and lower road congestion and maintenance costs—bringing long-term economic and environmental benefits.