Uganda Courts Czech’s Rail Giant ŠKODA To Modernise Passenger Railway

The Uganda Embassy in Berlin has engaged ŠKODA Transportation Group, a leading European manufacturer of public transport vehicles, in high-level discussions on potential collaboration in the railway sector.

Ambassador Danny Ssozi, Deputy Head of Mission at the Uganda Embassy in Berlin, led the delegation that met with Mr. Henrik Orrling, Vice President for Business Development at ŠKODA Group headquarters in Plzeň.

The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Radek Jakubský, Vice President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce, under the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy programme. The Uganda Embassy in Berlin is also accredited to the Czech Republic.

ŠKODA Transportation, headquartered in Plzeň, is renowned for its innovative production of electric locomotives, trams, metro trains, and trolleybuses.

During the meeting, the Ugandan delegation proposed partnership opportunities in the renovation and modernization of Uganda’s passenger railway system.

Discussions also included possibilities for ŠKODA to invest in auxiliary services and manufacturing of locomotives tailored to Uganda’s transport needs.

Ambassador Ssozi emphasized Uganda’s commitment to building a modern, efficient railway network that meets international standards of safety, comfort, and sustainability.

The delegation showcased Uganda’s plans for developing maintenance and training facilities to support railway operations, presenting a compelling case for ŠKODA’s involvement.

The Czech side, represented by senior ŠKODA officials including Mr. Ing. Vlastimil Vaclavik (Government Relations Director), Mr. Antonio Alamar Galan (Business Development Director), and Mr. Jakubský, welcomed the proposal and expressed interest in exploring Uganda’s investment potential.

The Ugandan delegation was also given a guided tour of ŠKODA’s state-of-the-art production lines, highlighting the company’s advanced technologies.

To formalize the collaboration, both parties agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will provide a framework for future cooperation.

Ambassador Ssozi further extended an official invitation to ŠKODA for an assessment visit to Uganda to explore investment opportunities on the ground.

The Ugandan delegation included Ms. Jessica Namuddu, Third Secretary; Mr. Ronald Mutebi, Commercial Diplomacy Assistant; and Mr. Kian Klauss, a consultant.