On March 21, 2026, Uganda’s President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and Kenya’s President, William Samoei Ruto, officially launched the extension of a railway line that will connect their two countries and eventually reach Rwanda. The ceremony marked a significant step in regional infrastructure development, with leaders emphasizing economic integration and cross-border collaboration.
Route and Expansion Plans
The railway will pass through Naivasha, Kisumu, and Malaba in Kenya before extending to Kampala in Uganda. From there, construction will continue toward Rwanda, eventually linking Bujumbura in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. President Museveni outlined the ambitious plan, stating that the network will also stretch from Kasese to Mpondwe, into the DRC, and from Tororo to Gulu, then Nimule and Juba, with a line from Bihanga to Kigali.
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Economic and Employment Benefits
President Ruto highlighted the project’s potential to create jobs for young people while enhancing trade and connectivity across East Africa. He noted that the railway would significantly ease the movement of goods and passengers, transforming journeys that once took days into just hours. The leaders emphasized that this infrastructure would strengthen economic integration within the East African Community and boost regional development.
Project Cost and Technical Details
The Kenya–Uganda section alone will cover an additional 643 kilometers and is estimated to cost 8.5 billion US dollars. Engineers and planners are working to ensure the railway meets international standards, with attention to both passenger comfort and freight efficiency. The project is expected to be a game-changer for trade corridors linking East Africa to Central Africa.
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