KAMPALA. Ex Minister for Lands Daudi Migereko has taken over as chairperson Board of Directors Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) .
Mr Migereko,69 replaces Al Hajj Abdallatif Dhakaba Wangubo who retired .
Other members on the board include; Ms Faridah Mayanja Mpiima, Ms Ruth Asiimwe Kanyaruju, Mr Peter Isingoma , Ms Florence Hashaka Kabahweza,Eng.Benjamin Olobo Olweny ,Mr Hannington Ashaba(from Ministry of Finance ,Planning and Economic Development ) ,Nelson Rwenaga (Ministry of Works and Transport representative ) , Mr Benon M Kajuna (Ex-officio ,managing director, URC) .
What awaits Migereko-led board
At the top of Migereko’s in-tray is URC land, an issue that has repeatedly exposed the corporation to encroachment, disputes and alleged grabbing . For the new board , land is not a side story,it is URC’s future leverage and revenue base. Securing titles, strengthening records, defending boundaries and confronting wrongdoing will be a lost narrows URC’s operational space and weakens the rail revival agenda.
Mr Mugereko will also need to ensure urgent delivery .Katumba revealed that government ,with support from the African Development Bank, has embarked on rehabilitating the railway line from Malaba to Kampala and beyond ,alongside rehabilitation of the Gulu line .
For the new board, this is where governance must produce results : clean procurement ,contractor performance ,realistic timelines and a maintenance culture that prevents the cycle of “rehabilitate ,then relapse” . Even with a better track, trains will not move without adequate equipment.
According to Mr Kajuna Uganda’s railway remains underutilized partly because of limited rolling stock ,with “ only four locomotives” ,while four others are undergoing repair .
He said URC’s current focus is on motive power, passenger coaches , and good wagons ,areas the new board will have to supervise closely to ensure value-for-money and timely delivery