Uganda Railways Corporation Appoints New Board

The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has announced the appointment of a new board of directors to steer the state-owned enterprise through a period of modernisation and infrastructure expansion.

The board is chaired by Hon. Daudi Migereko and includes Ms Faridah Mayanja Mpiima, Mrs Ruth Asiimwe Kanyaruju, Mr Peter Isingoma, Hon. Florence Hashaka Kabahweza, and Eng. Benjamin Olobo, Mr Hannington Ashaba (MoFPED Representative), Mr Nelson Rwenaga (MoWT Representative), and Mr Benon M. Kajuna, URC Managing Director.

URC operates under the Ministry of Works and Transport and is responsible for constructing, operating, and maintaining railway, marine, and road transport services for both passengers and cargo.

Its core operations include daily commuter trains between Kampala and Mukono, freight transport from the Port of Mombasa to Kampala via Malaba, marine ferry services on Lake Victoria, warehousing at Inland Container Depots, and locomotive repair workshops in Nalukolongo.

The corporation is actively pursuing major infrastructure projects, including: Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) Rehabilitation: Focused on the Malaba–Mukono and Tororo–Gulu lines with support from the African Development Bank, Standard Gauge Railway (SGR): A flagship 1,724 km network, with construction of the Malaba–Kampala section expected to start in April 2026, Locomotive Acquisition: URC has issued tenders for 10 new Diesel Electric Locomotives to expand and modernise its fleet and Strategic Plan 2025–2030: A five-year roadmap aimed at transforming URC into a self-sustaining, commercially viable enterprise.

In addition to cargo and passenger services, URC provides specialised marine operations, including wagon ferries such as MV Kaawa and MV Pamba, docking facilities at Port Bell and Jinja Pier, and customs storage and clearance at multiple depots.

The new board is expected to drive URC’s modernisation agenda, improve efficiency, and expand its role in boosting regional trade through enhanced rail and marine infrastructure.