Uganda plans to connect a new railway line under construction to a network being built in neighbouring Tanzania, potentially creating a new export route for minerals such as gold, copper, and iron ore, a government document showed.
The railway would run from the Ugandan-Tanzanian border through the south and southwest of Uganda, ending at Mpondwe on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ministry of Works and Transport said in the document seen by AFP.
“The main objective of the project is to connect the vast and mineral-rich regions of both countries to the port of Dar es Salaam … whilst saving time and transportation costs,” the document said.
Uganda currently channels most of its commodity exports through the Kenyan port of Mombasa and has already announced plans to link its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project to Kenya’s railway network. However, the Tanzanian connection marks a new development in Uganda’s transport strategy, officials said.
The project could also provide a potential route for the Democratic Republic of Congo to connect to Tanzania’s ports, expanding regional trade corridors.
Funding for the rail link is expected to involve the African Development Bank (AfDB), which is currently considering a request to support “preparation activities” for the project. “The bank may consider financing the project, depending on the outcomes of the studies, if the project is found to be bankable,” AfDB official Epifanio Carvalho de Melo told AFP.
The proposed rail line aligns with Uganda’s broader infrastructure plans to enhance regional connectivity and support export-oriented growth. Analysts say the project could reduce transport costs, improve logistics efficiency, and provide alternative export routes, which would be particularly valuable for Uganda’s mining sector.
East Africa’s railway expansion projects have gained momentum in recent years, with the SGR linking Kenya’s port of Mombasa to Nairobi, Naivasha, and eventually Kampala. Uganda’s government has sought to integrate its network with regional corridors to strengthen trade links with neighbouring countries.
More Read
The Tanzanian connection would also give Uganda and its neighbours access to Dar es Salaam port, one of the region’s largest and most strategic maritime hubs. For landlocked Uganda, the move could provide more flexibility in commodity exports and reduce reliance on a single transit route.
While details on financing, construction timelines, and project costs remain under review, the document indicates that Uganda is exploring partnerships with international lenders, including development banks, to secure the required funding.
Officials have yet to comment publicly on the plan, and a ministry spokesman could not immediately be reached.
The railway project comes amid a broader push in East Africa to strengthen transport infrastructure and support regional trade, particularly for mineral-rich areas. Observers say the rail link could be a major boost to the region’s logistics capacity and industrial development.
If implemented, the Uganda-Tanzania rail corridor could also encourage further cross-border investment, improve supply chain efficiency for exporters, and support regional integration efforts promoted by the African Union and East African Community.
Uganda, a landlocked East African country, relies heavily on regional transport corridors to export key commodities, including minerals such as gold, copper, and iron ore. Currently, the majority of Uganda’s exports are transported through the Kenyan port of Mombasa, via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project connecting Uganda to Kenya.
More Read
The proposed new rail link to Tanzania would connect Uganda’s mineral-rich south and southwest regions to Tanzania’s railway network and the port of Dar es Salaam, one of East Africa’s largest maritime hubs. The corridor would begin at the Uganda-Tanzania border and run to Mpondwe on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), potentially providing DRC access to Tanzanian ports in the future.
The project is part of Uganda’s broader strategy to diversify export routes, reduce logistics costs, and enhance regional trade integration. East Africa has seen significant railway investment in recent years, notably Kenya’s SGR linking Mombasa to Nairobi and plans to extend to Kampala, aimed at modernising transport and facilitating trade.
Funding for the Uganda-Tanzania line is expected to involve multilateral development banks, with the African Development Bank (AfDB) considering support for “preparation activities” and feasibility studies. The bank’s eventual financing will depend on project bankability assessments.
The initiative is aligned with regional infrastructure development priorities promoted by the African Union and the East African Community, which seek to improve trade connectivity, stimulate industrial growth, and support landlocked countries like Uganda and DRC.
Analysts say that if implemented, the new corridor could strengthen Uganda’s export capacity, attract cross-border investment, and reduce reliance on a single transit route, while supporting mineral exports and economic growth in both countries.
