KCCA PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR SGR PROJECT IN KAMPALA

Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo has pledged KCCA’s support to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, particularly mobilising city residents, support land acquisition and ensure the smooth implementation of the project in Kampala.

Balimwezo made the commitment Thursday during a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport’s SGR Project Management Unit at the Lord Mayor’s Parlour.

The meeting was part of efforts to sensitise newly elected KCCA office bearers about the SGR project and discuss how the city authority can support its implementation, particularly the compensation of project-affected persons (PAPs).

“We are joining them to ensure the project succeeds. We want the project fast-tracked, but we also want the project-affected persons to be well and fairly compensated,” Balimwezo said.

He said KCCA would support the project team in mobilising communities along the railway corridor and sensitising residents about the project, its benefits and the need to protect the railway reserve.

“This is a project that will improve our transport. If we can move 2,000 containers by rail, we shall save many trucks from coming onto our roads and reduce congestion,” he said.

The 272-kilometre Malaba-Kampala SGR is the priority section of Uganda’s planned modern railway network. It will connect Uganda to Kenya’s railway system and provide a direct link to the Port of Mombasa.

In Kampala, the railway will pass through Nakawa and Central divisions.

SGR officials said the railway is designed to carry both passengers and freight at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour, offering faster and more efficient transport than the existing metre-gauge railway.

The project is expected to reduce freight transit time between Mombasa and Kampala to about one day and lower the cost of transporting containers. Officials said the cost could fall from about $3,200 to $1,600 per container.

The Kampala station will also be integrated with the planned Bus Rapid Transit system, allowing passengers to connect between rail and public transport.

Emmanuel Ssemakula, the deputy project coordinator for technical works at the SGR project, said the meeting was aimed at finding ways for KCCA and the project team to work together, especially on compensation issues in Kampala.

“We are here to meet KCCA leadership to discuss and pave the way for how best to compensate the people affected by the project in Kampala. We have, in principle, agreed on how to handle these PAPs,” Ssemakula said.

He said the project traverses 11 districts and two cities, with implementation progressing steadily.

The project team said government had already compensated a substantial number of affected people, while engagements continue in areas where compensation and right-of-way issues remain.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer