Kenya and Uganda Launch Major Railway Extension Aimed at Boosting Regional Trade
KISUMU, Kenya – Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda on Saturday jointly launched the construction of the Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension, a project both leaders hailed as a pivotal step towards enhanced regional integration and economic growth.
The launch, held at the Kibos Grounds in Kisumu, marks the second phase of the SGR project and aims to significantly improve transport efficiency along the Northern Corridor, a crucial trade route connecting Kenya to landlocked nations including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This is a very important function of launching the Naivasha–Kisumu to Malaba Standard Gauge Railway,” President Museveni stated, emphasizing the need to modernize transport systems within the region. He highlighted Uganda’s current reliance on road transport as costly and inefficient, outlining a long-term plan to shift heavy cargo to rail, pipelines for petroleum products, and reserve roads for passengers and lighter goods.
President Ruto echoed this sentiment, noting the growing demand for efficient transport infrastructure. He cited figures showing cargo volumes through the Port of Mombasa reached 7.37 million tonnes in the first six months of 2025, with nearly 70 percent destined for Uganda. Currently, cargo transport from Mombasa to Malaba takes up to 80 hours, and over 100 hours to Kampala – a logistical bottleneck the SGR extension seeks to alleviate.
“A slow transport corridor inevitably loses business and weakens our competitiveness as a nation,” President Ruto said.
The multi-billion-dollar project is expected to reduce transport time and freight costs, bolstering key economic sectors like agriculture and fisheries around Lake Victoria. It forms part of a broader regional railway network connecting Mombasa, Nairobi, Naivasha, Kisumu, Malaba, and eventually Kampala.
During a bilateral meeting following the launch ceremony, the two presidents discussed strengthening trade relations and infrastructure development between their countries. President Museveni also addressed challenges to African competitiveness, including high transport costs, expensive electricity, and the cost of financing, warning that failure to address these issues could hinder economic growth.
The launch was attended by key Ugandan officials including First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, Minister for East African Community Affairs, and Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, alongside members of the Ugandan delegation from the High Commission in Nairobi.
The project represents a significant investment in East Africa’s infrastructure and is anticipated to unlock Kenya’s economic potential while fostering greater regional cooperation.
