Uganda Railways Corporation Evaluates Bids for New Locomotive Supply
Uganda Railways Corporation is reviewing bids from Chinese and South Korean companies for a $48 million deal involving ten diesel-electric locomotives. The locomotives will serve the rehabilitated Tororo-Gulu line. The URC is also upgrading the Malaba-Mukono track in a broader effort to modernize the railway system, amid a decline in cargo transport.
Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is currently assessing bids from Chinese and South Korean firms for a contract valued at $48 million (Shs 175.8 billion) to supply ten diesel-electric locomotives. The tender, which closed on March 7, attracted submissions from four bidders: China Shandong International Limited, CRRC Qishuyan Company Limited, Sung Shin Rolling Stock Technology Limited, and Dalian Lambo Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. from South Korea.
John Linonn Sengendo, the spokesperson for URC, stated that the new locomotives will be utilized on the rehabilitated Tororo-Gulu route and will enhance existing operations on the primary line between Malaba and Kampala. The project is expected to be handed over by December of this year, with this timeline reflecting a ten-month completion window.
The rehabilitation of the 375 km Tororo-Gulu line, financed by the Ugandan government at a cost of Shs 199.9 billion ($54.14 million), is scheduled for completion by December 2025. Key tasks include improving drainage, constructing new culverts, rehabilitating five steel girder bridges, and relaying railway tracks, among other infrastructure enhancements.
In addition to the Tororo-Gulu project, the URC plans to upgrade the 265 km Malaba-Mukono track as part of a broader five-year initiative to revitalize the national railway system, supported by funds from the African Development Bank. This $301 million initiative encompasses wagon procurement, rehabilitation of railway stations, automation of level crossings, and the construction of concrete sleeper lines.
Currently, URC manages the transport of only 250,000 tonnes of cargo per annum, reflecting a decrease from one million tonnes in 2006, primarily due to outdated infrastructure. This concern is being directly addressed through the African Development Bank-backed projects aimed at modernizing the railway sector. The railway is a vital segment of the East African Community’s Northern Corridor, linking Kampala to Mombasa’s seaport.
The Uganda Railways Corporation is undertaking significant modernization efforts, with bids being evaluated for new diesel-electric locomotives and extensive rehabilitation projects. Funded initiatives are aimed at revamping aging infrastructure and boosting cargo transport capacity. By enhancing the Tororo-Gulu and Malaba-Mukono routes, URC seeks to restore its freight transport efficiency, contributing to essential regional connectivity within the East African Community.
Original Source: www.pmldaily.com
