transport 29 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda and Tanzania Forge Railway Partnership for Afcon 2027 Boost
Uganda and Tanzania railway authorities are collaborating to enhance rail and water transport systems, with a particular focus on improving passenger movement for the upcoming Afcon 2027 tournament. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-tanzania-team-up-to-revamp-railway-transport-ahead-of-afcon-2027-5512678
Officials from the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) and Tanzania’s Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) have met to accelerate joint efforts in upgrading railway and water transport infrastructure. The collaboration aims to streamline the movement of people and goods, especially in anticipation of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament hosted in East Africa.
Daudi Migereko, Chairperson of the URC Board, acknowledged that Uganda lags behind Tanzania in transport infrastructure development but sees the partnership as a crucial step to leverage Tanzania’s expertise and existing facilities. He noted the increasing demand for rail and water transport in Uganda and the need to expand capacity to meet this demand.
To bolster Uganda’s water transport capabilities, the Managing Director of URC, Benon Kajuna, announced that the country has secured funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB). This funding will be used to rehabilitate Port Bell and Jinja ports and construct the new Bukasa port, enhancing cargo handling efficiency and enabling direct ship connections with Tanzanian ports like Mwanza.
Eric Hamissi, Managing Director of Tanzania Shipping Company Limited, highlighted that poor port infrastructure in some areas has led to prolonged ship docking times. He mentioned Tanzania’s new MV Mwanza passenger and cargo ship, which is currently unable to reach Port Bell due to the port’s condition. The rehabilitation of Port Bell is also crucial for the MV Mwanza to potentially serve Afcon attendees and boost regional tourism.
The Director General of TRC, Machibya Masanja, emphasized that developing Uganda’s transport systems would offer a more cost-effective alternative to expensive road transport for businesses. He stated that Tanzania’s well-developed ports require improved connectivity with Uganda to function optimally as key trade partners. TRC is also advancing plans for a standard gauge railway to ensure faster goods delivery.