Help & FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When are you completing land acquisition?
Land acquisition process is a continuous process depending on availability of funds. The process started from Tororo and so far compensation has been done in eight districts (Tororo, Butaleja, Namutumba, Luuka, Iganga, Bugweri, Mayuge and Jinja) as of early 2025.
How much shall people pay in order to get jobs with the SGR project?
Employees shall be recruited on merit and no one will be charged in order to secure a job with the Project.
How do we get information about availability of jobs in the project?
Government and its partners will use official channels including media to publicise job openings as well as work closely with city/district/municipality/lower local government authorities to notify the public about job requirements and availability.
Is the contractor going to test those seeking employment for HIV status/Hepatitis B?
No! There is no mandatory testing for HIV/AIDS. Confidential medical tests will only be done if required for specific reasons.
How do you plan to manage potential conflict arising from contractor/workers and community interaction?
There are national policies that promote mutual co-existence, respectful, non-abusive and non-exploitative interaction between the contractor and the community.
Will you employ women and girls?
Yes, the SGR project remains an equal opportunity employer for all gender, age and religious sects for persons above 18 years old.
What measures are you going to put in place to prevent sexual harassment and exploitation? How do we raise complaints to your office?
The project will follow strict rules and regulation of engaging with community according to the laws and regulation of Uganda. Thorough sensitization will be undertaken to prevent harassment and exploitation Grievance Redress Mechanisms are in place to address complaints. The SGR project also has regional area management offices spread across the 12 corridor districts. Feel free to visit any of them physically or call respective numbers which are available on the website.
How long will it take to get feedback from the complaints raised to your office?
The Project has a Grievance Redress Mechanisms which ensures complaints are handled on time depending on the nature of the complaint.
Will the district local government stakeholders monitor aspects of the Project progress?
Monitoring and evaluation will be done at various levels and local governments as major stakeholders are part of the process.
Why are you constructing the line in wetlands/swamps, forests and yet you told us SGR was a mitigation towards adverse climate change?
The Project has been designed to avoid traversing wetlands and forests. In areas where it has been inevitable to cross these sensitive eco-systems, the Project has opted for designs that minimize negative environmental impact on these eco-systems.
Are you going to plant trees along the line from Malaba to Kampala?
We are going to do environmental restoration along the corridor including tree planting.
What is the contractor giving to communities as corporate social responsibility?
Discussions are currently ongoing to see how the contractor can support the community.
Why are you building another railway and yet we already have one that is functional?
The Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) has technical and capacity limitations, however Government is rehabilitating it as a stop gap measure. The SGR will have higher cargo capacity and speeds for Uganda’s expanding economy.
How are you handling socially sensitive issues like graves, shrines and worship places in the railway corridor?
The project has identified and documented all graves, shrines and worship places within and around the corridor. For the graves, shrines and worship areas that cannot be protected during the project implementation, the Project engages the relevant stakeholders and compensates them before relocation while maintaining the heritage and virtues of the affected entities.
Why are you building a single track railway?
The single track is viable to meet the current transportation needs and the projections for the medium and long term.
Why did we limit the speeds to 120kph?
The proposed SGR is majorly designed for freight and all major design parameters are for freight railways.
Are we using 50kg/m rails or 60kg/m?
60kg/m rails is being used.
Why did we opt for electric locomotives unlike Kenya’s choice of diesel locomotive?
Uganda is developing her SGR as an electric traction outright because the country has enough electricity in its energy pool.
Why did Uganda opt for FIDIC/ EPC turnkey contract mode of implementation?
Projects of this nature are better delivered under the EPC/Turnkey FIDIC conditions of contract because of the complexity in exhausting all risks and carrying out exhaustive pre-procurement tests to inform the final design and costs. To safeguard the client, EPC mode is applied since the very experienced contractor takes up all the risks.
Why did we opt for Continuously Welded Rails (CWR)?
It offers a high level of riding comfort.
How much cargo will each train carry?
Each train will have the capacity to carry 4,000 gross tonnes.
How is Government protecting the already acquired land?
After compensation, government begins the process of land expropriation which involves titling the portion of land paid for. Under corridor protection, the area management office coordinates routine and periodic inspection and clearance of corridor to protect the land from encroachers.
Why is the SGR route not following the existing Metre Gauge Railway reserve?
The project is using the MGR corridor land as much as possible. However, to achieve the desired speed, the SGR design diverts from the MGR into new right of way in some arears.
Where will the locomotive exchange take place since Kenya is diesel and Uganda is electric?
The exchange will take place at Malaba Marshalling Yard on the Ugandan side.
After construction completion, what is the management plan?
Government will retain the responsibility of operating and maintenance of the railway infrastructure