Uganda Railways Corporation plans to restore passenger train service between Kampala and Jinja before the end of 2026, marking the return of regular rail travel on the eastern route after more than three decades.
The service will operate on weekends, according to the Uganda Railways Corporation. The corridor last carried regular passenger trains more than 30 years ago.
The restoration effort reflects broader regional investment in East African rail infrastructure. Uganda's railway network has faced decades of decline following neglect and underinvestment. The Kampala-Jinja route is one of the country's most direct transport links, connecting the capital to a major industrial and port city roughly 80 kilometres away.
The Uganda Railways Corporation, as the state operator, has positioned the passenger service as part of efforts to modernise the network and offer an alternative to road transport on one of Uganda's busiest corridors. Weekend service launch suggests a phased approach, potentially allowing the operator to test demand and operational capacity before expanding to daily service.
The timeline places implementation within the current medium-term planning cycle. Whether the service launches as scheduled will depend on completion of track rehabilitation, acquisition or refurbishment of passenger rolling stock, and resolution of any remaining infrastructure gaps on the route.
The corridor passes over the Nile River, requiring functional bridge infrastructure. The service's revival would represent one of the most visible signs of Uganda's rail sector revival in recent years.