The Rehabilitation of the Kampala-Namanve railway rehabilitation works are entering the final phase but three months beyond the date set initially.
This stretch, which is part of the Kampala-Mukono line was scheduled for completion in September, but “unforeseen circumstances” set in, according to John Linonn Sengendo, the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) spokesman.
Initially, the works encountered a stronger than expected resistance by encroachers who were not willing to relinquish the land they had occupied to pave the way for the works.
Other challenge faced include the heavy rains, the clashing of programs with other government agencies especially those rehabilitation roads, as well as the works themselves being more demanding that earlier anticipated.
As works commence on the Mukwano Road railway crossing, the last of the crossings, the URC is hopeful the new deadline of December would be met for the Kampala-Namanve stretch.
Mukwano Road level crossing will be temporarily closed from Friday 1 to Saturday, 16 December 2023 to allow for works on that railway section to commence. To minimise traffic challenges there, URC says a temporary diversion route connecting Mukwano Roundabout to Jinja Road was being prepared “for Light Vehicles, Motorcycles and Pedestrians ONLY.”
It is hoped that this will be done within the time allocated, considering that it is a major traffic spot and also a notorious one for congestion, for movement between the Central Business District and some of the busiest suburbs of Industrial Area, Namwongo, Kibuli and beyond.
Completion of some level crossings were delayed by various reasons. URC also complained about other agencies distracting the works why carrying out their own activities, warning that it amounts to trespassing.
“Some service providers are increasingly digging up our embankment/reserve to lay cables without prior approval from URC. Note that this is trespass, and it disrupts our operations. Any such cables found will be dug up, and any equipment on site confiscated,” they warned via social media site, X.
The Wankoko crossing along the Spring Road was completed Monday, a week later due to interference of road works.
Meanwhile, construction of the line, specifically laying off the clipers and rails has reached Nakawa, with the Nakawa-Namboole stretch awaiting laying of the ballast (stone) and level.
This time around, URC is using concrete sleepers instead of steel ones, saying they are more durable, allow for greater stability and are hard to vandalise. The phase will be the works on the Namanve-Mukono reconstruction starting next year, according to the plan being implemented by Spanish firm Imathia Construction at a coat of about 101 billion shillings.
However, URC says the delays that have been encountered are increasing the cost of the project.
URN.