Thousands of daily commuters face transportation chaos following an unexpected railway embankment collapse at Namanve. Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) announced yesterday a complete suspension of all train services between Kampala and Mukono until April 14, 2025.
The sudden infrastructure failure has crippled one of Central Uganda’s most essential public transport arteries at a time when road congestion continues to worsen along the parallel Kampala-Jinja Highway corridor.
“Technical teams are already on site working around the clock,” confirmed URC in their official statement. “We are committed to ensuring that train services resume safely and efficiently by 14th April 2025.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for the estimated 12,000 passengers who depend on the rail service daily. Most are workers and students who live in Mukono but commute to Kampala for work and education.
Many regular train users expressed frustration upon hearing the news.
“This means I’ll spend three extra hours in traffic jams every day for more than a week,” lamented Sarah Namukasa, a bank employee who has used the train service for the past two years.
The 20-kilometer railway line has become increasingly popular since its revival as part of government efforts to decongest Kampala’s notoriously gridlocked roads. Its affordability and reliable schedules made it an attractive alternative to sitting in traffic for hours.
Transport analysts predict severe strain on alternative transport options during the suspension period. Taxis and boda-bodas operating along the Kampala-Mukono corridor are expected to experience overwhelming demand and likely price hikes.
“The suspension creates a transport emergency,” explains transportation expert Dr. Robert Mukwaya from Makerere University. “This corridor already operates beyond capacity during peak hours. Removing the train option will push the road network to breaking point.”
URC has apologized to affected passengers but has not announced any contingency plans or alternative arrangements to mitigate the impact. Transport authorities have remained silent on potential emergency measures to address the anticipated congestion.
This infrastructure failure raises questions about maintenance protocols and inspection regimes for Uganda’s rail network, which has seen increased investment in recent years as part of efforts to revitalize the country’s transportation systems.
The Kampala-Mukono line’s strategic importance has grown significantly as urban sprawl continues to push city workers farther from the capital in search of affordable housing.
Without a functional rail alternative, commuters must now navigate one of East Africa’s most congested highways during the repair period.
URC has promised updates on the repair progress through their official channels in the coming days.
