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Uganda will this year begin constructing its long-delayed US$2.2 billion Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), according to a report by the Reuters news agency.

“The government of Uganda ... is in advanced stages of engaging [Turkey's] Yapi Merkezi to undertake the development of the SGR eastern route. The plan is to commence construction this calendar year,” the Ministry of Works and Transport said in a statement seen by Reuters.
 
In 2015, the project was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) on condition the firm would help secure funding from the Chinese government. However, this yielded no results, and the contract was terminated in early 2023.

Uganda subsequently began negotiations with Yapi Merkezi to undertake the project. Reuters reported in January that a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the Turkish firm. 
 
The 273-kilometre line will run from the Ugandan capital Kampala to the Kenyan border. It is then expected to connect with Kenya’s SGR line that leads to Mombasa on the Indian Ocean coast. 
  
Yapi Merkezi is already working on the construction of Tanzania's SGR, which is being developed as part of efforts to boost trade with neighbouring countries.

Photo: Road and railway under construction (© Barlic | Dreamstime)