Kenya Railways and Uganda Railways Corporation have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional rail freight connectivity and improving cargo movement between Kenya and Uganda.
The commitment was made during a bilateral engagement between the Kenya Railways Board and Management and the newly appointed Uganda Railways Corporation Board of Directors, which was undertaking a familiarisation tour of rail freight operations along the Northern Corridor linking the Port of Mombasa and Uganda.
The Uganda Railways Corporation delegation was led by Board Chairman Hon. Daudi Migereko and included Managing Director Mr Benon Kajuna. The Kenya Railways delegation was led by Board Chairman Mr Abdi Bare Duale and Managing Director Mr Philip Mainga, EBS.
Discussions focused on enhancing regional railway connectivity, improving cargo handling efficiency, strengthening SGR-MGR connectivity and positioning rail transport as a more efficient and competitive logistics solution for cargo movement within East Africa.
Kenya Railways Board Chairman Mr Abdi Bare Duale reaffirmed Kenya Railways’ commitment to ensuring the seamless movement of transit cargo destined for Uganda between the Port of Mombasa and the Malaba border through efficient rail operations. He noted that Kenya Railways remains focused on building a commercially sustainable freight business capable of supporting regional trade growth and economic integration.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Mr Philip Mainga said the corporation continues to invest in railway infrastructure, locomotive maintenance and rolling stock rehabilitation to improve freight reliability and customer experience. He added that closer collaboration between Kenya Railways and Uganda Railways Corporation would support seamless cargo transportation along the Northern Corridor and improve service delivery for customers.
Uganda Railways Corporation Board Chairman Hon. Daudi Migereko noted that the Governments of Kenya and Uganda continue to demonstrate strong support and goodwill towards railway revitalisation. He said the two railway corporations must now live up to expectations by delivering reliable and efficient services.
Hon. Migereko also noted that the Government of Uganda has allocated funding towards the revitalisation of the Meter Gauge Railway, including maintenance and operations, to support increasing cargo volumes for both imports and exports.
Uganda Railways Corporation Managing Director, Mr Benon Kajuna, emphasised the importance of strengthening regional collaboration between railway operators in order to improve efficiency, increase competitiveness and support growing demand for rail freight services across East Africa.
The two corporations also explored opportunities for technical collaboration, staff training, operational coordination and increasing rolling stock capacity to improve freight reliability and customer experience along the Northern Corridor.
