THE KAMPALA- KASESE LINE

The Kampala-Kasese meter gauge line was constructed in the 1950s with the main objective of transporting copper ore from Kilembe mines to a copper smelter in Jinja, and finally onto Mombasa for shipment around the world.

It was built at low cost, on an alignment running along or across swamps and wetlands laid with second hand light rails, high ruling gradient of 1.5 percent and sharp curves of 175 metre radius. The line, having largely run its life, was abandoned in 1997 and much of the track materials have all been stolen or lifted – it requires full reconstruction.

“The long-term plan is to rebuild it to Standard Gauge but there are plans to relay the line in the medium term, as the plans for Standard Gauge line have fallen behind schedule regionally,” Kateeba adds.

“The line serves a rich agricultural, mineral and tourism area of Rwenzori, connecting to the mineral rich North Kivu Region in the DRC. It is expected to boost agriculture and agri-processing industries, tourism, mineral and mineral processing and urbanisation activities.”