Standard Gauge Railway
The Government of Uganda continues to make significant progress on the SGR.
Timeline
The Project, together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, particularly the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM), carried out a mineralogy assessment study aimed at ensuring that the railway does not traverse areas with high mineral potential which may require future diversion of the railway.
An EPC/TURNKEY contract was signed between the Government of Uganda (represented by the Ministry of Works and Transport) and M/s Yapı Merkezi İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş., Türkiye in a Joint Venture with M/s YM Global Projects Limited.
The Project hired consultants to carry out an earthquake hazard assessment along Malaba-Kampala route which is necessary during the detailed engineering design of the system. The Contractor is expected to do further independent studies.
The Ministry prepared all the loan application support documents which include Certificate of ESIA, Bankable Feasibility Study, Contract Documents and all other reference documents to support the loan application.
The SGR project management team is engaging several partners and consultancies to close the environmental and social (E&S) issues that are critical now and during construction. Many of these including the following have been finalized. Environmental and Social (E&S) documentation submitted for African Development Bank (AfDB) disclosure Substantial work continues to be done around E&S activities
The Project has a Local Content Strategy which describes how the Project will ensure that at least 40% of the value of works is spent locally. Discussions with suppliers of major supplies like cement and steel continue. Further discussions with UNABSEC and other groups continue to ensure sub-contractors do take on some of the civil works. Further discussions with PSFU, UMA, IRA and other private s
Several technical studies have been undertaken since commencement of the Project. These include update of ESIA and Engineering Feasibility Studies among others for the Eastern, Western and Northern Routes.
The LNTP was issued under the EPC/T Contract to allow early works while Government of Uganda (GoU) finalises financing for the main contract under the following terms; Start date: 14 May 2025 Value & funding: €75 million, fully funded by GoU Scope (early works): Design and surveys, safeguards readiness, mobilisation/setup, and selected long-lead items (as applicable). These activities are set to
This was to get Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) the engineering design, economic and financial parameters that would be a basis for engaging the contractor and the consultants
The Project, together with the Department of Surveys and Mapping has established national survey controls along Kampala-Malaba. In total, 12 pillars, 112 primary control points, and 1,053 secondary control points have been established. These have been approved by the Department of Surveys and Mapping.
Using in-house capacity, a Project Document was prepared and approved by the Minister, detailing the development of 1724 km of railway line.
In order to ensure that the works done and services provided meet the standard as stipulated in the contract, a robust Quality Assurance Strategy has been prepared which includes the design review strategy, construction assurance strategy and the materials quality control strategy. A laboratory will be established and equipped to help the employer carry out the quality assurance function. This str
After construction of the SGR, Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) will oversee the operations and maintenance of the SGR. Engagements with regional partner states to develop an SGR specific Operations and Maintenance plan for the region is ongoing.
Government of Uganda and Kenya have held several technical harmonization engagements to ensure seamless railway connectivity between the two countries. The Malaba marshalling yard on the Uganda side will be the interchange point for the diesel-electric traction locomotives between Kenya and Uganda.
The Ministry/Project signed an MoU with the Ministry of Internal Affairs such that all the foreigners into the country to work on the Project must seek a ‘no-objection’ from the Project. This will ensure that the personnel entering the country are those strictly required for SGR construction and in compliance with the local content approved guidelines.
GoU and GoK agreed on an Operations Model which was later forwarded to the financier.
These Employer’s Requirements emphasized functionality requirements of the railway system including speed, durability, major geometrical parameters and the standards. These standards were in compliance with China Class 1 railway standards.
Using in-house strategy, Environmental Safeguards Strategy has been prepared for the Malaba-Kampala section detailing procedures to ensure that all the environment laws and regulations are observed.
As requested by the financier, the Project hired consultants to carry out an earthquake hazard assessment along Malaba-Kampala route which is necessary during the detailed engineering design of the system. This was done and reports submitted to financiers.
The Project harmonised with different infrastructure projects including the following. The SGR and the Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project (KFCRUP): The proposed Kampala flyover was elevated higher and the SGR will have a separate grade crossing as seen in the picture above. The SGR and KJE: The SGR also harmonised with the Kampala Jinja Express Way (KJE) to avoid a lot of in
Together with the Kenya Ministry of Transport, policies were identified that will increase the viability of the railway line. The policies were approved by the respective Ministers. These will be forwarded to Cabinet and Parliament during the process of loan approval.
This has been developed and it is aimed at transfer of knowledge and skills to indigenous Ugandans, especially in the areas of design, construction and Operations & Maintenance.
The Project is working the National Water & Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), UETCL and other entities to relocate their utilities that traverse the SGR corridor. Conflict points with affected utilities such as UETCL power lines will require relocation.
Again using in-house approach, a Social Safeguard Strategy has been prepared and approved to ensure that the social, cultural, HIV/AIDS prevention and other norms are observed. It draws experience from the challenges we have had in the construction sector concerning social and cultural issues.
The Project, together with UETCL, has carried out survey and design that will assist in extension of electricity from UETCL 132kV lines to the railway traction substations. Approx. 60km with 132kV HEV will be extended to the planned 5 traction sub-stations of Tororo, Buwoola, Iganga, Nyenga and Namanve.
The Ministry prepared all the loan application support documents which include Certificate of ESIA, Bankable Feasibility Study, Contract Documents and all other reference documents to support the loan application.
The Project prepared the Strategic Plan using in-house capacity, detailing the activities required for the development of the railway from Malaba to Kampala and the light rail.
This protocol provides for the four Partner States to follow the same standards and specifications which will allow the development of a seamless railway transport system across the region. It also emphasizes the use of Chinese Class 1 railway standards.
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project has developed an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Strategy to ensure that applicable occupational safety and health requirements, construction regulations and guidelines are strictly followed throughout project implementation. The OSH framework is intended to promote safe and healthy working conditions for workers and other persons who may be affected b
The Project, together with the DGSM, carried out a geo-hazard assessment aimed at assuring the financier that the railway is not affected by mudslides, floods or geological catastrophes. The report is ready and approved.
The Ministry/Project has signed an MoU with the ERB to regularize the qualifications of the engineers, technicians and technologists that will be coming to work on the Project. All will have to be certified by ERB
A strategy for Land Acquisition was prepared and approved by the Chief Government Valuer in 2016. The railway corridor was then gazetted as required by the Land Act. Sensitization and socio-economic assessment of the affected persons were then carried out and several Memoranda of Understanding were signed with the affected districts/cities. Right of Way permission was obtained from NFA for gazett
Using in-house capacity, the Project has prepared a Local Content Strategy which describes how the Project will ensure that at least 40% of the value of works is spent locally. The local content ratio will be 9:1 Ugandans to foreigners. The Project has discussed with cement manufacturers to produce the low alkaline, low sulphate good grade cement required for railway construction; it has discussed
The Ministry/Project signed an MoU with the Ministry of Internal Affairs such that all the foreigners into the country to work on the Project must seek a ‘no-objection’ from the Project. This will ensure that the personnel entering the country are those strictly required for SGR construction and in compliance with the local content approved guidelines.
Progress
The Ministry/Project signed an MoU with the Ministry of Internal Affairs such that all the foreigners into the country to work on the Project must seek a ‘no-objection’ from the Project. This will ensure that the personnel entering the country are those strictly required for SGR construction and in compliance with the local content approved guidelines.
In order to ensure that the works done and services provided meet the standard as stipulated in the contract, a robust Quality Assurance Strategy has been prepared which includes the design review strategy, construction assurance strategy and the materials quality control strategy. A laboratory will be established and equipped to help the employer carry out the quality assurance function. This str
Using in-house capacity, a Project Document was prepared and approved by the Minister, detailing the development of 1724 km of railway line.
After construction of the SGR, Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) will oversee the operations and maintenance of the SGR. Engagements with regional partner states to develop an SGR specific Operations and Maintenance plan for the region is ongoing.
Using in-house capacity, the Project has prepared a Local Content Strategy which describes how the Project will ensure that at least 40% of the value of works is spent locally. The local content ratio will be 9:1 Ugandans to foreigners. The Project has discussed with cement manufacturers to produce the low alkaline, low sulphate good grade cement required for railway construction; it has discussed
The Project prepared the Strategic Plan using in-house capacity, detailing the activities required for the development of the railway from Malaba to Kampala and the light rail.
A strategy for Land Acquisition was prepared and approved by the Chief Government Valuer in 2016. The railway corridor was then gazetted as required by the Land Act. Sensitization and socio-economic assessment of the affected persons were then carried out and several Memoranda of Understanding were signed with the affected districts/cities. Right of Way permission was obtained from NFA for gazett
Government of Uganda and Kenya have held several technical harmonization engagements to ensure seamless railway connectivity between the two countries. The Malaba marshalling yard on the Uganda side will be the interchange point for the diesel-electric traction locomotives between Kenya and Uganda.
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