Uganda Eyes Dar es Salaam as a Second Gateway Amid Port Expansion

Uganda is actively exploring Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania as a vital second gateway to the sea, aiming to reduce its dependence on the traditional route through Mombasa, Kenya. This strategic shift is gaining momentum as Tanzania aggressively expands its Dar es Salaam Port facilities and progresses with plans for a new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) connection.

Currently, Uganda’s utilization of Tanzanian ports is minimal. In the 2025/26 fiscal year, Tanzanian ports handled approximately 47,600 tonnes of Ugandan cargo, a stark contrast to the over 10.91 million tonnes that passed through Mombasa, a significant portion of which was Ugandan freight. The primary reasons for this disparity have historically been the greater distance and higher transportation costs associated with the Dar es Salaam route compared to Mombasa.

However, the landscape is changing. Tanzania has seen substantial growth in transit cargo, particularly from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The expansion at Dar es Salaam, including operations managed by DP World, has led to significant improvements in efficiency, drastically reducing vessel turnaround times and waiting periods. This enhanced capacity makes the port a more attractive option for Ugandan businesses.

A key development is the planned SGR line connecting Tanzania’s existing network to Uganda. While this project faces its own timelines and financing challenges, its potential to create a more efficient rail-and-sea link from the Indian Ocean to western Uganda and potentially the DRC is considerable. More immediately, Lake Victoria ferry services have already begun offering a faster alternative for containerized cargo between Mwanza and Port Bell near Kampala.

Uganda has also diversified its fuel imports, with a portion now being trucked from Dar es Salaam and plans for a refined products pipeline to Tanga. While the Northern Corridor through Mombasa remains dominant, the development of Dar es Salaam as a viable and competitive alternative route offers Uganda crucial flexibility in managing its international trade logistics.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)