Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni launches the rehabilitation project for the Tororo-Gulu railway line (375 km)

On 24 October 2020, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, officially launched the rehabilitation of 375 km of railway line connecting the cities of Tororo and Gulu. The inauguration, which was also attended by His Excellency Attilio Pacifici, Ambassador of the European Union to Uganda, highlights the importance of the project for Uganda’s economy, particularly in the northern region, and the interest shown in it by the country’s executive.

It is also a great recognition of the work carried out by the ETF/SOGEA SATOM joint venture teams in charge of the project.

Preparations well underway

In order to begin dismantling the existing track, the operational teams must carry out a significant amount of preparatory work:

• Marking and numbering each sleeper and each rail to determine what needs to be replaced or repaired.
• Clearing the railway line and its surroundings.
• Creating the first Repair Centre, in Magodes, which will enable the sleepers to be sorted and repaired.

Local life at the heart of the project

The old railway line to be rehabilitated passes through many towns and villages. Our teams aim to have a positive impact on the lives of local people by involving them in the preparation of the project.

Representatives visit the site to meet with village leaders and talk to residents. This enables us to present the project organisation, provide safety information about the passage of machinery and work near the tracks, and invite local people to apply to join the operational teams. The aim of ETF and SOGEA SATOM is to use local labour and enable residents to get involved in the project.

A project carried out with respect for the environment

In addition to technical preparation and social work, the teams are also preparing to integrate the works into the local environment. The new facilities being built are designed to adapt to and respect the terrain and its surroundings.

This is the case in Magodes, for example, where the Repair Centre has been built to follow the slope of the land, allowing rainwater to drain away.

Awareness-raising work is actively carried out in order to integrate environmental issues into the work process.

More information about the project: https://www.etf.fr/actualites/international/375-km-de-voies-rehabilitees-en-ouganda/