http://allafrica.com/stories/200407290744.html
Mikaili Sseppuya
Kampala
Uganda and Kenya recently signed a memorandum of understanding,
formalising a concessionaire to lease their railway corporations.
The memorandum allows interested bidders to make proposals to lease the concessioned facilities.
Prof. Peter Kasenene Uganda's privatisation state minister and John
Michuki, Kenya's transport minister signed the memorandum.
"The governments of Uganda and Kenya have decided to privatise their
railways through a joint concession," Michuki said before the signing.
Kasenene said the concession aimed at enhancing efficiency.
Kenya is concessioning 1,920kms of its railway, while Uganda is
concessioning 270kms, including the Malaba to Kampala line and the Luzira
route.
A Ugandan official who preferred anonymity said though calling for the
bids to operate the concession is likely to be in September, proposals from
potential operators are welcome.
The official said there were prospects of extending the rail lines to
the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
The official said the Kasese line needs to be rehabilitated.
Bombardier Transportation, a company which was expected to take part in
the concessioning, recently terminated all its operations in Africa.<<
Interesting news, especially the possiblity of extension to Sudan and Congo.
However, the chronic war in Sudan makes it unlikely (and Sudan has 3ft 6 in gauge), and the war in Congo (former Zaire) is also not encouraging.
I hear the Kasese line is currently derelict and unusable, following the closure of the copper mine.
I have travelled from Kampala to Kenya when the line was part of East African Railways.
Mikaili Sseppuya
Kampala
Uganda and Kenya recently signed a memorandum of understanding,
formalising a concessionaire to lease their railway corporations.
The memorandum allows interested bidders to make proposals to lease the concessioned facilities.
Prof. Peter Kasenene Uganda's privatisation state minister and John
Michuki, Kenya's transport minister signed the memorandum.
"The governments of Uganda and Kenya have decided to privatise their
railways through a joint concession," Michuki said before the signing.
Kasenene said the concession aimed at enhancing efficiency.
Kenya is concessioning 1,920kms of its railway, while Uganda is
concessioning 270kms, including the Malaba to Kampala line and the Luzira
route.
A Ugandan official who preferred anonymity said though calling for the
bids to operate the concession is likely to be in September, proposals from
potential operators are welcome.
The official said there were prospects of extending the rail lines to
the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
The official said the Kasese line needs to be rehabilitated.
Bombardier Transportation, a company which was expected to take part in
the concessioning, recently terminated all its operations in Africa.<<
Interesting news, especially the possiblity of extension to Sudan and Congo.
However, the chronic war in Sudan makes it unlikely (and Sudan has 3ft 6 in gauge), and the war in Congo (former Zaire) is also not encouraging.
I hear the Kasese line is currently derelict and unusable, following the closure of the copper mine.
I have travelled from Kampala to Kenya when the line was part of East African Railways.