The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has welcomed the Government’s plan to construct a Standard Gauge Railway from Malaba to Kampala (over 270km), emphasizing its economic viability and environmental impact to the development of the county.

This comes after the signing of a USD 2.3 billion (about shs 10.8 trillion) Standard Gauge Railway construction deal between the Government of Uganda and a Turkish Company, Yapi Merkezi which is set to start in a period of 48 months and later will extend to Kasese, in the western part of the country.

While speaking to media at the party headquarters on Wednesday, Sharon Oyat Arach the UPC Party Spokesperson said, they have been encouraging the Government to expedite the process of having a modern railway transport system and repairing the old One Metre-Gauge Railway to ensure affordable transport means to boost trade in and outside the country.

She further adds that there is a need for transparency and accountability if this project is to benefit Ugandans and the country at large.

Meanwhile, Arach appeals to the Government to mobilize more resources to revitalize the One Metre-Gauge Railway and the Standard Gauge Railway within the set time frame so that its benefits are realized.

By Charles Katabalwa

16 Oct 2024

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