Plzeň, Czech Republic | As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen economic and commercial diplomacy, the Uganda Embassy in Berlin has initiated discussions with ŠKODA Group, a leading European manufacturer of rail and public transport vehicles, on potential collaboration in Uganda’s railway development.
Ambassador Danny Ssozi, Deputy Head of Mission at the Uganda Embassy in Berlin, led the delegation during a visit to ŠKODA Group headquarters in Plzeň, Czech Republic. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Radek Jakubský, Vice President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce in Prague.
ŠKODA Transportation, headquartered in Plzeň, is renowned for its expertise in manufacturing electric locomotives, metro trains, coaches, trams, and trolleybuses. With a long-standing tradition in engineering and innovation, the company is at the forefront of sustainable urban mobility in Europe.
During the engagement, Ambassador Ssozi met with Mr. Henrik Orrling, Vice President for Business Development at ŠKODA Group, along with other senior executives including Mr. Ing. Vlastimil Vaclavik (Government Relations Director) and Mr. Antonio Alamar Galan (Business Development Director).
Discussions focused on the potential for renovating and upgrading Uganda’s passenger railway infrastructure to meet the needs of a rapidly growing economy. The Embassy presented investment opportunities in auxiliary rail services, locomotive manufacturing, and the establishment of maintenance and training facilities aligned with international standards for safety, comfort, and efficiency.
The Ugandan delegation was given a comprehensive tour of ŠKODA’s production lines, showcasing the company’s state-of-the-art technologies and innovation in modern rail systems.
Ambassador Ssozi extended an invitation to ŠKODA Transportation for an exploratory visit to Uganda to assess opportunities on the ground. Both parties agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide a framework for further technical discussions and potential partnerships.
The Ugandan delegation also included Ms. Jessica Namuddu (Third Secretary), Mr. Ronald Mutebi (Commercial Diplomacy Assistant), and Mr. Kian Klauss (Consultant). The visit reinforces Uganda’s commitment to revitalizing its transport infrastructure and leveraging global expertise for national development.