Uganda’s long-awaited Standard Gauge Railway project has received a major boost after the African Development Bank (AfDB) committed to financing part of the construction of the Malaba–Kampala line.

The Ministry of Finance revealed that AfDB has agreed to lend Uganda US$650 million (about Shs2.452 trillion) toward the construction of the 326-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway section from Malaba to Kampala.

The amount forms part of the overall €2.7 billion (about Shs11.864 trillion) required for the project.

The funding commitment was reaffirmed by Abdul Kamara, Vice President of the African Development Bank, during a meeting with Uganda’s delegation on the sidelines of the AfDB Annual Meetings 2026 in Brazzaville.

Uganda’s delegation was led by Mustapha Achidri, the Temporary Governor and Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Finance.

According to the Ministry, the meeting focused on securing financing for the long-delayed railway project, with AfDB reaffirming its support toward construction of the Malaba–Kampala segment—seen as a critical infrastructure link for trade, cargo transport and regional integration.

The Standard Gauge Railway is expected to improve cargo movement from the Kenyan border at Malaba to Kampala, lower transport costs, and strengthen Uganda’s connection to regional markets through the Northern Corridor.

READ ALSO: One Person Succumbs To Ebola In Kampala

The latest financing commitment is likely to reignite optimism around the SGR project, which has faced years of delays linked to financing and implementation arrangements.