Uganda Railways Corporation is reviewing bids for 10 diesel-electric locomotives, worth $48 million, from firms in China and South Korea. The locomotives will support the rehabilitated Tororo-Gulu route and the main line to Kampala. Key rehabilitation projects are underway to improve infrastructure and cargo capacities.
Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is currently evaluating bids from Chinese and South Korean companies for a $48 million project to supply 10 new diesel-electric locomotives. The tender, which closed on March 7, received submissions from four bidders, including China Shandong International Limited, CRRC Qishuyan Company Limited, Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Limited, and South Korea’s Dalian Lambo Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
URC spokesperson John Linonn Sengendo indicated that these new locomotives will enhance operations on the rehabilitated Tororo-Gulu route and augment the current equipment on the main line between Malaba and Kampala. The deadline for the project’s completion is set for December 2023, roughly 10 months from now.
The Tororo-Gulu line, spanning 375km, is under extensive rehabilitation with a budget of Shs199.9 billion ($54.14 million), expected to be finalized by December 2025. This project will cover various improvements including drainage upgrades, culvert construction, and rehabilitation of five steel girder bridges.
Additionally, URC is focused on overhauling the 265km Malaba-Mukono track as part of a comprehensive five-year upgrade, funded by the African Development Bank with a $301 million investment. This initiative includes procuring new wagons, rehabilitating railway stations, and introducing automation to level crossings.
Currently, URC handles approximately 250,000 tonnes of cargo annually, a drastic reduction from one million tonnes in 2006, primarily due to outdated infrastructure. The ongoing upgrade projects aim to restore efficiency in cargo transportation along the railway, a key section of the East African Community’s Northern Corridor connecting Kampala to Mombasa.
In summary, Uganda Railways Corporation is in the process of selecting suppliers for new diesel-electric locomotives to rejuvenate its rail services. These initiatives, including significant rehabilitation projects on the Tororo-Gulu and Malaba-Mukono tracks, are pivotal to restoring cargo transport efficiency that has declined in recent years due to aging infrastructure. Overall, these developments are crucial for enhancing Uganda’s connectivity within the East African transport network.
Original Source: www.pmldaily.com
