Uganda is exploring plans to connect a new railway line under construction to Tanzania’s developing rail network, potentially creating a major new export route for minerals such as gold, copper, and iron ore, according to a government document obtained by Reuters.
Currently, Uganda exports the bulk of its commodities through the Kenyan port of Mombasa, with plans already underway to link its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project to Kenya’s railway network. The proposed connection to Tanzania would mark a significant shift, providing an alternative route via the port of Dar es Salaam and enhancing regional trade flexibility.
The document from Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport indicates that the railway would run from the Tanzanian border through southern and southwestern Uganda, terminating at Mpondwe on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The main objective, the document notes, is to connect the mineral-rich regions of Uganda and Tanzania to the port of Dar es Salaam, while reducing transportation time and costs.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has been identified as a potential financier for the project. According to AfDB official Epifanio Carvalho de Melo, the bank is considering requests to fund preparation and feasibility studies and may provide full financing if the project proves viable. The Democratic Republic of Congo could also potentially link to the railway in the future, expanding regional connectivity.
A spokesman for the Ugandan Ministry of Works and Transport was not immediately available for comment.
By creating a direct railway link to Tanzania, Uganda aims to diversify its export routes, reduce dependency on a single corridor, and boost the efficiency and competitiveness of its mineral exports. The project is part of broader regional infrastructure initiatives designed to strengthen trade, support industrial growth, and integrate East African economies more closely.