transportation 1 October 2026 Nile Post
Passenger Trains to Roam the Nile Again as URC Relaunches Kampala-Jinja Service
The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is poised to reintroduce passenger train services between Kampala and Jinja by the end of 2026, aiming to restore a vital connection that has been dormant since the 1990s. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/375033/passenger-train-to-cross-the-nile-again-as-railways-prepares-kampala-jinja-service
After a hiatus of over thirty years, passenger train services are set to resume between Uganda’s capital, Kampala, and the eastern city of Jinja. The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) announced that preparations are in their final stages for a weekend service, which is slated to launch before the close of 2026.
This revival aims to offer a much-needed alternative to road travel on the bustling Kampala-Jinja corridor, a route that also serves as a gateway to eastern Uganda and neighboring countries. The URC expressed its commitment to responding to public demand, stating, “We have heard the calls, and as listening sector players, it is incumbent upon us to respond to the calls.”
The initial service will operate with trains departing Kampala on Fridays and returning from Jinja on Sundays. This weekend-only operation is seen as a stepping stone, with plans to expand to a daily service as the URC acquires additional rolling stock.
“The target is to have a daily scheduled train crossing the Nile,” the corporation stated, indicating ambitions to significantly increase service frequency. The absence of regular passenger trains on this route dates back to the 1990s, a period marked by operational and infrastructural challenges within Uganda’s railway network. For decades, the eastern corridor has primarily functioned as a freight route, with road transport dominating passenger movement.
While URC has previously revived shorter commuter services around Kampala, the Kampala-Jinja line’s passenger operations have remained suspended. This upcoming service will extend rail passenger operations beyond the current commuter network, reconnecting Jinja to the capital by rail after more than three decades. The route holds historical significance, featuring a rail crossing over the Nile River.
Beyond the passenger train revival, the URC is also focusing on preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027 and addressing land encroachment issues along its railway corridors.