The Central Corridor warmly congratulates the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Uganda on the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a cross-border railway linking western Uganda to Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network and the Port of Dar es Salaam.
The MoU was signed on Friday, 13 March 2026, on the margins of the Tanzania–Uganda Joint Permanent Commission meeting held in Dar es Salaam. This landmark agreement marks a significant step forward in advancing regional transport integration and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
The proposed railway project will extend from Isaka in north-western Tanzania, where the Dar es Salaam–Mwanza SGR line terminates, crossing into Uganda at Kikagati. It will then continue through key Ugandan towns, including Mbarara, Bihanga, and Kasese, before reaching Mpondwe at the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Once completed, the railway will provide a seamless multimodal transport link connecting Uganda and eastern DRC to the Port of Dar es Salaam.
This milestone reflects the strong commitment of both Governments to deepen regional integration, enhance trade facilitation, and promote efficient, reliable, and sustainable transport systems across the Central Corridor. The project is expected to significantly reduce transport costs, improve transit times, and stimulate trade flows within the region, particularly for land-linked countries.
The Central Corridor commends this strategic initiative, which aligns with its mandate to facilitate efficient transit transport and promote infrastructure development along the corridor. By strengthening rail connectivity and integrating regional logistics networks, the project will contribute to unlocking new opportunities for trade, industrial development, and investment across East and Central Africa.
CCTTFA remains fully committed to supporting initiatives that enhance regional connectivity and foster inclusive economic growth, in line with regional and continental development frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
