KAMPALA. Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) plans to extend its new school train service beyond Mukono District if more schools commit to subscribe.
This follows Friday’s successful inaugural run that ferried Seroma High School learners home for the holidays.
URC Senior Public Relations Officer Mr Linnon Ssengendo told this publication that parents and students “loved the experience because of its cost and time saving.
” He noted that the maiden trip gave URC insights on “how to plan early and better” ahead of the next general school break at the end of April.
“The demand was encouraging. Once schools confirm subscription numbers, we can map routes and schedules to serve areas beyond Mukono,” Mr Ssengendo said. According to him, URC’s longer-term vision includes preparing to ferry Ugandans to AFCON 2027 matches, with Uganda among the regional host countries. “AFCON 2027 will need mass movement of fans across the region. What we learn with schools now will shape that plan,” he said.
He also hinted on extending the service to schools along their planned routes of Kyengera and along Mityana road once these lines are developed and fully operational.Schools, parents welcome alternative to roadMs Judith Okiring, Director of Studies at Seroma Christian High School, said the school opted for rail to avoid the usual holiday gridlock.
“We opted for the railway transport to beat the traffic jam and it’s affordable and efficient. It’s adventurous,” Okiring said. “The transport costs have been minimised and it reduces accidents.”The excitement was exhibited by Mr Peter Pachuto a parent who echoed the relief on safety and cost.
“I am very excited about the school train service because of its cost efficiency and it’s the kind of infrastructure that parents can make use of,” Pachuto said. From cargo revival to passenger pushThe school service builds on URC’s phased return to passenger operations after years of focusing mainly on freight. In 2024, URC reintroduced the Kampala–Namanve commuter train to ease rush-hour congestion and road accidents along Jinja Road, recording average daily ridership of 1,800 passengers within three months, according to URC data released last December.
Transport Minister Katumba Wamala in January 2025 directed URC to explore “targeted passenger services where rail has a clear safety and cost advantage,” citing school traffic and major events. That directive followed public outcry over holiday-season road crashes involving school buses, including a December 2023 incident that left 12 learners injured on the Kampala–Jinja highway.
URC subsequently refurbished four coaches and two locomotives for passenger use, with support from the Ministry of Works and Transport. A February 2026 pilot between Kampala and Seeta tested scheduling, boarding control, and fare collection for student groups, laying ground for Friday’s Seroma Schools launch.Next stepsSsengendo said URC will circulate an expression-of-interest form to private and public schools this week.
Subscription thresholds will determine route viability, with priority given to corridors where road travel times are longest and accident risk is highest.“Rail gives us predictability. No traffic jams, lower per-learner cost, and centralized safety management,” he said.