Transport in Uganda
{{Short description|none}}
Transport in Uganda refers to the transportation structure in Uganda. The country has an extensive network of paved and unpaved roads.
Roadways
{{See also|List of roads in Uganda}}
File:Y Coetsee Getting stuck Southern Uganda (2013).jpg
As of 2017, according to the Uganda Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda had about {{convert|130000|km|0}} of roads, with approximately {{convert|5300|km|0}} (4 percent) paved.{{cite web |url=http://www.works.go.ug/key-summary-statistics/ |title=Key Summary Statistics |publisher=Uganda Ministry of Works and Transport |date=2017 | author=Ministry of Works & Transport | location=Kampala |
access-date=9 June 2018}} Most paved roads radiate from Kampala, the country's capital and largest city.{{cite web|access-date=8 June 2018 |date=2017 | author=DLCA.LogCluster |title=Map of Uganda Showing Main Road Network | publisher=Dlca.logcluster.org | url=http://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/2.3+Uganda+Road+Network;jsessionid=33424C63E9836C9F20970F98F58B9A0F}}
=International highways=
File:A Bridge in Uganda for road transport.jpg]]
The Lagos-Mombasa Highway, part of the Trans-Africa Highway and aiming to link East Africa and West Africa, passes through Uganda. This is complete only eastwards from the Uganda–DR Congo border to Mombasa, linking the African Great Lakes region to the sea. In East Africa, this roadway is part of the Northern Corridor.{{cite web|access-date=9 June 2018 | url=http://www.ttcanc.org/page.php?id=11 |title=About the Northern Transportation Corridor | date=2018 |author=NCTTCA |
publisher=Northern Corridor Transit and Transportation Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) | location=Mombasa}}{{cite web| url=http://www.swrw.org/images/stories/pdf/Kenya-and-Uganda-Map-NC-Route_29-Feb-2012.pdf |title=Maps of Kenya and Uganda Showing the Northern Corridor Route |author=Safe Way Right Way | publisher=Safe Way Right Way Organization |date=29 February 2012 |access-date=10 June 2018 |location=Nairobi}}
It cannot be used to reach West Africa because the route westwards across DR Congo to Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR) is impassable after the Second Congo War and requires reconstruction. An alternative route (not part of the Trans-African network) to Bangui based on gravel roads and earth roads runs from Gulu in northern Uganda via Nimule and Juba, South Sudan and Obo in south-east CAR. This is used by trucks but sections are impassable after rain.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
The route has been closed at times during war and conflict in northern Uganda (the Lord's Resistance Army rebellion) and South Sudan, but up to July 2007 had not been affected by the Darfur conflict and was the only usable road between East and West Africa. The security situation should be checked with authorities in northern Uganda, South Sudan and south-eastern CAR before use.{{cite web|date=14 October 2011 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/world/africa/barack-obama-sending-100-armed-advisers-to-africa-to-help-fight-lords-resistance-army.html |title=Armed U.S. Advisers to Help Fight African Renegade Group |access-date=9 June 2018 |location=New York City |newspaper=The New York Times |last=Rick Gladstone |first=Thom Shanker}}
Railways
{{Main|Uganda Railways Corporation}}
{{See also|Railway stations in Uganda}}
As of 2017, Uganda's railway network measures about {{convert|1250|km|0}} in length. Of this, about 56% ({{convert|700|km|0}}), is operational.
All existing railway is metre gauge. A new standard gauge rail network is planned.
A railroad originating at Mombasa on the Indian Ocean connects with Tororo, where it branches westward to Jinja, Kampala, and Kasese and northward to Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, and Pakwach. The only railway line still operating, however, is the Malaba–Kampala line.
=Railway links with neighboring countries=
- {{flagicon|Kenya}} Kenya: Yes; same gauge {{RailGauge|1000mm}}
- {{flagicon|South Sudan}} South Sudan: Proposed; break of gauge {{RailGauge|1000mm}}/{{RailGauge|1067mm}}
- {{flagicon|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} Democratic Republic of the Congo: No; break of gauge {{RailGauge|1000mm}}/{{RailGauge|1067mm}}
- {{flagicon|Rwanda}} Rwanda: No; Does not yet have railways
- {{flagicon|Tanzania}} Tanzania: No direct connection except via train ferry; same gauge {{RailGauge|1000mm}}
= Couplings and brakes =
- Couplings : Meatchopper (Norwegian)
- Brakes : Air{{cite web|title=Metre-Gauge Beyer-Garratt 4-8-4 + 4-8-4 for the Kenya & Uganda Railways |access-date=9 June 2018 |
url=http://www.garrattmaker.com/history.html |date=21 July 1939 |
publisher=Garrattmaker.com Quoting The Railway Gazette |
author=The Railway Gazette}}
=Plans=
==Standard Gauge Railway==
{{main|Uganda Standard Gauge Railway}}
The six countries of the East African Community are in the process of constructing railway lines with {{Track gauge|1435mm}} standard gauge tracks. Kenya had, by June 2018, completed the construction of the Mombasa–Nairobi section of its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which cost US$4.47 billion (original budget was US$3.2 billion), borrowed from the Exim Bank of China.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40171095 |title=Will Kenya get value for money from its new railway? |publisher=BBC Africa |first=Nancy |last=Kacungira |location=Nairobi|
date=8 June 2017 |access-date=10 June 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newsweek.com/kenya-railway-china-madaraka-express-618357 |title=Kenya Just Opened A $4 Billion Chinese-Built Railway, Its Largest Infrastructure Project In 50 Years |date=31 May 2017 |access-date=10 June 2018 |first=Conor |last=Gaffey |magazine=Newsweek |location=New York City}} The country now plans to extend he SGR line to Nakuru, Kisumu and Malaba, when funds become available.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/Proposed-link-to-Nakuru-could-push-up-costs-of-SGR/539546-2986224-is89f4/index.html |title=Proposed link to Nakuru could push up costs of SGR |date=6 December 2015 |newspaper=Business Daily Africa |first=Lynet |last=Igadwah |location=Nairobi}}
File:Mombasa - Nairobi metre gauge railway outside Voi.jpg
Uganda plans to construct a total of four SGR lines, totaling {{convert|1547|km|0}}, at an estimated cost of US$12.6 billion.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Minister--Shs45-6-trillion--railway--project-cost-Kenya/688334-3880840-fwx8nl/index.html |date=7 April 2017 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |first=Nelson |last=Wesonga |location=Kampala |title=Minister defends Shs45.6 trillion Standard Gauge Railway project cost}}{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=https://qz.com/1036970/ugandas-chinese-built-sgr-railway-will-cost-more-than-kenyas/|title=Uganda's Chinese-built high speed railway will cost even more than Kenya's did |last=Kuo |date=24 July 2017 |first=Lily |publisher=Quartz Africa}} Uganda's SGR is planned to link it to four neighboring countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, DR Congo and South Sudan.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=https://constructionreviewonline.com/2015/04/us3-2bn-standard-gauge-railway-line-to-connect-uganda-and-s-sudan/ | date=10 September 2015 |publisher=Construction Review Online | title=US$3.2bn Standard Gauge Railway line to connect Uganda and South Sudan |author=Bonface |location=Nairobi}}
==The Rift Valley Consortium==
{{main|Rift Valley Railways Consortium}}
Between 2006 and 2017, a company known as Rift Valley Railways (RVRC) managed the Kenya Railways Corporation's and the Uganda Railways Corporation's {{cvt|1000|mm|ftin|frac=8}} metre gauge railway systems, under a 25-year concession.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200607280144.html | title=East Africa: Kenya And Uganda Railways Takeover Date Postponed |date=28 July 2006 |newspaper=The Standard (Kenya) via AllAfrica.com |first=Kimathi |last=Njoka | location=Nairobi}}{{cite web|date=28 July 2006 |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200607280341.html | title=Kenya: Railway Takeover Pushed to November |access-date=10 June 2018 | newspaper=Daily Nation via AllAfrica.com | first=Zeddy |last=Sambu |location=Nairobi}}
In August 2017, the government of Kenya terminated the RVRC concession, citing failure by RVRC to perform as stipulated in the concession agreement.{{cite web|
access-date=10 June 2018 |date=1 August 2017 |location=Nairobi |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Kenya-ends-Rift-Valley-Railways-contract/2560-4040424-lofuc0z/index.html | title=Kenya ends Rift Valley Railways contract |first=Njiraini |last=Muchira |newspaper=The EastAfrican}} In October 2017, Uganda followed suit,{{cite web| title=Government cancels Rift Valley Railways deal | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-cancels-Rift-Valley-Railways-deal/688334-4129752-144xd01/index.html | access-date=10 June 2018 |date=8 October 2017 |last=Frederic Musisi |first=and Thembo Kahungu | newspaper=Daily Monitor | location=Kampala}} but RVRC ran to court to stop the termination.{{cite web| url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Markets/Uganda--Kenya-failed-railway-deal---RVR-chief/688606-4140902-15aa6p0/index.html |title=Uganda, Kenya failed railway deal - RVR Chief |
access-date=10 June 2018 |date=12 February 2018 |
newspaper=Daily Monitor |first=Fredric |last=Musisi |
location=Kampala}}{{cite web|
date=12 February 2018 |access-date=10 June 2018 | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Govt-RVR-fresh-legal-battle-railway-deal/688322-4300740-poougjz/index.html |
title=Government, RVR in fresh legal battle over railway deal | newspaper=Daily Monitor |first=Fredric |last=Musisi | location=Kampala}} In February 2018, Uganda Railways Corporation finally took possession of the concession assets and resumed operating the metre-gauge railway system in Uganda.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Passenger-train-services-resume-Monday/688334-4316028-5l40lxz/index.html
|title=Passenger train services to resume on Monday |
first=Amos |last=Ngwomwoya |date=23 February 2018 |
newspaper=Daily Monitor |location=Kampala}}{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 |location=Kampala |url=http://observer.ug/news/headlines/57044-ugandans-welcome-revamped-passenger-train-services.html |title=Kampalans welcome revamped passenger train services |date=27 February 2018 | first=and Mercy Ahukana |last=Alfred Ochwo |newspaper=The Observer (Uganda)}}
Waterways
Lake Victoria is the principal waterway with commercial traffic. In conjunction with train services, the railway companies of Uganda and Tanzania operate train ferries on the lake between railhead ports of the two countries and Kenya. These ferries load rail coaches and wagons. Jinja and Port Bell, on a {{convert|7|km|0}} branch line from Kampala, are the railheads for Uganda, connecting to Mwanza, Tanzania and Kisumu, Kenya.{{cite web| url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1233573/govt-repair-grounded-ships |title=Uganda: Government to Repair Grounded Ships |access-date=10 June 2018 |date=29 October 2009 |
newspaper=New Vision |first=Samuel | last=Balagadde |
location=Kampala}}{{cite web|date=10 September 2008 |url=https://www.independent.co.ug/ppda-finally-allows-repair-mv-pamba/ |title=PPDA finally allows repair of MV Pamba | last=Kagenda |newspaper=The Independent (Uganda) | first=Patrick |location=Kampala |access-date=10 June 2018}}
The Port Bell ferry wharf is visible on high-resolution Google Earth photos at latitude 0.2885° longitude 32.653°.{{google maps|title=Location of Port Bell Wharf Pier | url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/0%C2%B017'19.0%22N+32%C2%B039'12.8%22E/@0.288604,32.6513577,451m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x177dbef39eacb315:0xbafaca80609e6e55!2sPort+Bell,+Kampala,+Uganda!3b1!8m2!3d0.2977615!4d32.6531763!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d0.2886041!4d32.6535406 |access-date=10 June 2018}} Other ferries serve non-railhead ports on the lake.{{cite web|url=https://atcnews.org/2014/04/12/new-ferry-starts-services-from-entebbe-to-kalangala-ssese-islands/ |
title=New ferry starts services from Entebbe to Kalangala/Ssese Islands |access-date=10 June 2018 |date=12 April 2014 | publisher=Aviation, Travel and Conservation News |author=Atcnews Staff |location=Kampala}} There are dry dock facilities at Port Bell (Luzira), which were under renewed use as of June 2018.{{cite web|date=24 February 2018 | url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Govt-pressured--revamp--ship-servicing-Luzira/688334-4318306-nddseb/index.html | title=Government pressured to revamp ship servicing in Luzira |
access-date=10 June 2018 |first=Henry |last=Lubulwa |
newspaper=Daily Monitor |location=Kampala}}{{cite web|title=Government Clears Operations at Dry Dock |url=https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/governments-clears-operations-at-dry-dock |access-date=10 June 2018 |date=20 February 2018 |publisher=Uganda Radio Network |first=Ezekiel |last=Ssekweyama |location=Kampala}}{{cite web|url=http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MV-Kalangala-suspends-operations-23-days-under-servicing/688334-4368326-13meihd/index.html |title=MV Kalangala suspends operations for 23 days to undergo servicing |access-date=10 June 2018 |date=2 April 2018 |newspaper=Daily Monitor |author=Al-Mahdi Ssenkabibrwa | location=Kampala}}
A new inland port, Bukasa Inland Port is under development on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, at Bukasa, in Wakiso District, about {{convert|20|km|0}}, by road, south-east of the central business district of Kampala, the capital and largest city of Uganda.{{cite web| url=https://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Uganda_Distance_Result.asp?fromplace=Post%20Office%20Building%2C%20Kampala%20Road%2C%20Kampala%2C%20Uganda&toplace=Kirombe%2C%20Kampala%2C%20Uganda&dt1=ChIJXyfX9IC8fRcRorrkbY-nufI&dt2=ChIJT5sOldO-fRcR7KAdrFoyH_Q |
title=Distance between Post Office Building, Kampala Road, Kampala, Uganda and Kirombe, Kampala, Uganda |date=10 June 2018 | access-date=10 June 2018 |publisher=Globefeed.com | author=Globefeed.com}} When completed the inland port is designed to handle up to 5.2 million tonnes of freight annually.{{cite web | access-date=10 June 2018 | url=http://256businessnews.com/bukasa-inland-port-secures-funding | title= Bukasa Inland Port secures funding | date= 25 April 2016 | publisher=256 Business News (256BN)| author=256BN}} The port will facilitate movement of goods from the Tanzanian ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, via rail to the port of Mwanza on Lake Victoria. Barges would then bring the cargo over the lake to Bukasa. This would reduce Uganda's near-total dependence on the port of Mombasa, Kenya.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-uganda-port-idUKBRE91B0NY20130212 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817130717/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-uganda-port-idUKBRE91B0NY20130212 | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 17, 2016 | title= Uganda to build inland port to reduce reliance on Kenya | date=12 February 2013 | first=Elias | last=Biryabarema | publisher=Reuters.com}}
Lake Kyoga and the Victoria Nile south of the lake constitute the second most important commercial waterway. There used to be a steamboat service between Namasagali, a railhead port on the Nile, going as far as Masindi-Port on the other side of Lake Kyoga.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} Other waterways such as Lake Albert, Lake George, Lake Edward, and the Albert Nile do not carry commercial traffic to any great extent.
Airports
{{main|List of airports in Uganda}}
{{See also|Entebbe International Airport|Kabaale International Airport|Soroti Airport}}
Entebbe International Airport is Uganda's largest and busiest airport, servicing in excess of 1.5 million arrivals annually, as of 2015.{{cite news|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=593993643&Country=Tanzania&topic=Economy&subtopic=Forecast&subsubtopic=Economic+growth&u=1&pid=1421747526&oid=1421747526|title=Rise in foreign visitors to Uganda |date=2 March 2016 | newspaper=Economist Intelligence Unit |
author=Economist Intelligence Unit |location=London}} In February 2015, the Government of Uganda began a three-phase expansion and upgrade of Entebbe Airport planned to last from 2015 until 2035.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2016 |publisher=Sunrise.ug |date=23 June 2015 |location=Kampala |url=http://www.sunrise.ug/business/corporate/201506/nrm-manifesto-roots-for-aviation-infrastructure-expansion.html | title=NRM manifesto roots for aviation infrastructure expansion
|first=Hadijah |last=Nakitendde}}{{cite web |url=http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/entebbe-international-airport-expansion/ |title=Entebbe International Airport Expansion |access-date=10 June 2018 |date=May 2016 | publisher=Airport-technology.com |author=Airport-technology.com}}{{cite web |location=Kampala | url=http://www.observer.ug/business/38-business/39585-upgraded-entebbe-to-handle-3m-passengers |title=Upgraded Entebbe to handle 3 million passengers |first=Moses |last=Mugalu |access-date=10 June 2018 |date=31 August 2015 |newspaper=The Observer (Uganda)}}
In January 2018, SBC Uganda Limited, a joint venture company between Colas Limited of the United Kingdom and SBI International Holdings of Uganda, started construction of Kabaale International Airport in Hoima District.{{cite web|access-date=10 June 2018 | url=http://www.theugandatoday.com/all-uganda-today-posts/2018/03/hoima-airport-contractor-sbc-uganda-urged-to-hire-local-residents/ |title=Hoima Airport contractor SBC Uganda urged to hire local residents |date=2 March 2018 |location=Kampala | publisher=Theugandatoday.com |author=The Uganda Today}}{{cite web|title=Hoima International Airport to Employ Locals |access-date=10 June 2018 |location=Kampala | url=http://www.sbi.co.ug/images/hoima_international_airport_to_employ_locals.pdf | publisher=SBI Uganda Limited Quoting New Vision |first=John |last=Odyek |date=30 January 2018}} The first phase of construction, including the runway and cargo-handling facilities, is expected to be ready in 2020. This phase is primarily to support construction of the Uganda Oil Refinery.{{cite web|location=Johannesburg | url=http://www.ftwonline.co.za/article/129383/Second-international-airport-on-the-way-for-Uganda |title=Second international airport on the way for Uganda |date=11 December 2017 |access-date=10 June 2018 |first=Erin |last=Steenhoff-Snethlage |publisher=Ftwonline.co.za}}{{cite web|title=Hoima airport to be complete by 2020 | url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1471024/hoima-airport-complete-2020 |access-date=10 June 2018 |location=Kampala |newspaper=New Vision |date=12 February 2018 |last=Odyek |
first=John}} The second phase of construction, focused on the facilitation of passengers and boosting tourism and business, is expected to conclude in 2022.
File:Boeing 707-351C, Uganda Airlines JP7687412.jpg
As of June 2018, according to the CIA Factbook, Uganda had 47 airports, five of which had paved runways, namely Entebbe Airport, Gulu Airport, Soroti Airport, Nakasongola Airport and Jinja Airport.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite book|title=The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live Today|first=Ted|last=Conover|publisher=Alfred A. Knopf|location=New York|date=2010|pages=118–163|chapter=The Road Is Very Unfair|isbn=978-1-4000-4244-9}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}
{{Uganda topics}}
{{Africa topic|Transport in}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Uganda}}