Museveni, Ruto Launch Kisumu–Malaba SGR Extension to Boost Regional Trade

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday arrived in Kenya, where he joined his counterpart William Ruto to officiate the launch of construction of the Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Extension (Phase II).

Upon arrival at Kisumu International Airport, President Museveni was received by Musalia Mudavadi and James Opiyo Wandayi. The Ugandan leader inspected a guard of honour mounted in his honour.

Members of the Ugandan delegation included officials from the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi, among them Ambassador Unice Kigyenyi (Chargé d’Affaires), Doreen Ruyondo (Minister Counsellor), Brig. Gen. MacDans Kamugira (Defence Attaché), and Elias Kassirabo (Police Attaché).

Bilateral talks on trade and integration

Following his arrival, President Museveni held a closed-door meeting with President Ruto, during which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional trade, and infrastructure development between Uganda and Kenya.

The two presidents later jointly launched the project, symbolically tightening a bolt on the railway line to mark the commencement of construction works.

President Museveni congratulated President Ruto and the people of Kenya on what he described as a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development.

“This is a very important function of launching the Naivasha–Kisumu to Malaba Standard Gauge Railway,” President Museveni said.

He explained that the railway forms part of a broader plan to rationalise the transport system within the region, particularly in Uganda, where over-reliance on road transport increases costs and inefficiencies.

“The railway is part of the rationalisation of our transport system, especially on the Ugandan side, which is irrational and wasteful because passengers, light cargo, heavy cargo, and petroleum products are all concentrated on the roads,” he said.

He added that Uganda’s long-term plan is to shift heavy cargo to rail, petroleum products to pipelines and water transport, and reserve roads mainly for passengers and light cargo.

The President noted that this approach would reduce road congestion and improve the competitiveness of regional economies.

Addressing cost of doing business

President Museveni emphasised that Africa must focus on producing high-quality but affordable goods to remain competitive globally. He identified high transport costs, expensive electricity, and the high cost of financing as key challenges affecting business competitiveness.

“If Africa does not address these cost pushers, we shall be outpriced, and our goods will not be competitive even within Africa,” he warned.

President Ruto commended President Museveni for his commitment to regional integration and long-standing advocacy for East African unity.

He said the Standard Gauge Railway from Suswa through Kisumu to Malaba would unlock Kenya’s economic potential and benefit the entire East African region.

Boosting regional connectivity

The multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project is expected to strengthen connectivity to the Port of Mombasa and facilitate trade with landlocked countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

President Ruto highlighted the growing demand for efficient transport, noting that cargo volumes through the Port of Mombasa reached 7.37 million tonnes in the first six months of 2025, with nearly 70 percent destined for Uganda.

He observed that cargo currently takes up to 80 hours to move from Mombasa to Malaba and more than 100 hours to reach Kampala, stressing that slow logistics corridors undermine competitiveness.

“A slow transport corridor inevitably loses business and weakens our competitiveness as a nation,” President Ruto said.

The railway extension is expected to significantly improve the Northern Corridor by reducing transport time, lowering freight costs, and enhancing the movement of goods between Uganda and the Kenyan coast.

The corridor also supports key economic sectors, including agriculture and fisheries around the Lake Victoria basin, and is expected to become a critical trade route for the Great Lakes region.

The Kisumu–Malaba SGR extension forms part of a broader regional railway network connecting Mombasa, Nairobi, Naivasha, Kisumu, Malaba, and eventually Kampala.

Leaders from both countries expressed optimism that the project will accelerate regional integration, enhance trade efficiency, and strengthen economic cooperation between Kenya and Uganda.

The launch was also attended by Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga and Katumba Wamala.