By Swift Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has announced a major shift in Uganda’s transport strategy, calling for the removal of heavy cargo and fuel tankers from roads in favor of railways and pipelines to improve efficiency, safety and economic competitiveness.
Museveni made the remarks on March 21, 2026, in Kisumu, where he joined William Ruto to launch construction of the Naivasha to Kisumu to Malaba Standard Gauge Railway extension. The project is a key component of a broader regional infrastructure plan aimed at linking East and Central African countries through modern rail networks.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Museveni described Uganda’s current transport system as inefficient and costly, noting that roads are overstretched by carrying passengers, light cargo, heavy goods and petroleum products at the same time.
He said the government’s priority is to transfer all heavy cargo to rail in order to ease congestion and reduce wear and tear on roads. According to the president, the continued reliance on road transport for bulk goods is both uneconomical and unsustainable.
Museveni also raised concerns about the dangers posed by fuel tankers on highways, citing their role in road accidents and infrastructure damage. He said shifting fuel transportation to pipelines would significantly improve public safety while lowering road maintenance costs.
The president linked the proposed reforms to Uganda’s broader economic goals, warning that high transport costs undermine the country’s ability to compete globally. He stressed that reducing logistics costs is essential if Uganda is to position its goods competitively on international markets.
The railway project launched in Kenya is part of a regional effort to connect Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and South Sudan through an integrated transport network. Museveni commended Kenya’s progress in extending the railway from Mombasa through Nairobi and Naivasha to Kisumu and Malaba, describing it as a critical step toward regional integration.
He said Uganda will accelerate its own railway development to align with the regional network. Planned routes include connections from Malaba to Kampala, onward to Kasese and Mpondwe to link with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additional lines are expected to run from Tororo to Gulu and Nimule to connect with South Sudan, as well as from Bihanga to Kigali in Rwanda.
Museveni said the expansion of railway infrastructure, alongside pipeline development, will play a central role in transforming Uganda’s transport system and supporting long-term economic growth across the region.
WhatsApp/Call: +256 754 137391
