Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has suspended the country’s only passenger train service due to safety concerns on the Kampala-Namanve line.
The suspension followed a review by the URC technical team, which identified a hazardous situation along the Mbuya-Kinawataka section. Water from the nearby Kinawataka swamp has eroded the ground, leaving only a few feet between the tracks and a potential collapse.
URC warned that if the issue is not addressed urgently, there is a risk of the rail line caving in, which could lead to a derailment.
According to a URC statement, it is unclear when the repairs will be completed and when services will resume.
However, John Lennon Sengendo, head of public relations and communications, estimated the work would take about two weeks.
“We are installing gabions in the Katoogo area, where the rail was starting to cave in due to water erosion caused by garbage blocking the drainage,” Sengendo explained.
He urged local residents to stop dumping garbage into the drainage channels, as this is the root cause of the blockage.
“We’ve completed work on the lower side and are now addressing the upper side,” he said.
He added that because the available space is limited, materials have been placed across the railway line, necessitating the suspension of train services.
Sengendo also noted the importance of completing the repairs quickly, especially with the upcoming Uganda-South Sudan Africa Cup of Nations match at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole next month, when demand for train services is expected to rise.
