Kenya, Uganda railways commit to Northern Corridor cooperation for seamless freight movement

KENYA – Kenya Railways and Uganda Railways Corporation have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional rail freight connectivity and improving cargo movement along the Northern Corridor.

Discussions focused on enhancing railway connectivity between the two countries, improving cargo-handling efficiency, strengthening SGR and MGR integration, and positioning rail transport as a more competitive logistics option for regional trade.

Infrastructure Investments and Service Reliability

Kenya Railways Board Chairman Abdi Bare Duale reaffirmed Kenya Railways’ commitment to facilitating the seamless movement of transit cargo between the Port of Mombasa and the Malaba border through efficient rail operations. He said the railway operator remains focused on building a commercially sustainable freight business capable of supporting growing trade volumes and deeper regional economic integration.

On the other hand, Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga highlighted ongoing investments in railway infrastructure, locomotive maintenance, and rolling stock rehabilitation to improve service reliability and the customer experience.

Additionally, improved rail reliability means reduced transit times for perishable cargo moving from Mombasa to landlocked markets such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.

Therefore, integrated SGR and MGR networks eliminate transloading delays at border crossings, preserving the integrity of the cold chain for horticultural shipments.

Uganda’s Investment Commitment and Regional Cooperation

On the Ugandan side, URC Board Chairman Daudi Migereko said both governments continue to demonstrate strong support for railway revitalization and infrastructure development.

He noted that Uganda has allocated funding towards the rehabilitation, maintenance, and operation of its Meter Gauge Railway network to support rising import and export cargo volumes.

URC Managing Director Benon Kajuna emphasized the importance of stronger regional cooperation among railway operators to improve efficiency, increase competitiveness, and meet growing demand for rail freight services across East Africa.

Technical Cooperation and Rolling Stock Expansion

The two railway corporations also explored opportunities for technical cooperation, staff training, operational coordination, and the expansion of rolling stock capacity to further improve freight reliability and enhance customer experience along one of East Africa’s most important trade corridors.

For logistics investors and fresh-produce supply chains, the Kenya-Uganda railway cooperation signals a coordinated approach to revitalizing the Northern Corridor.

The Port of Mombasa serves as the primary gateway for landlocked East Africa, and efficient rail connectivity directly impacts perishable cargo transit times.

This bilateral cooperation focuses on driving economic integration through a more efficient and commercially sustainable transport network across East Africa.

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