Uganda, Sudan plan to build modern railway line

KAMPALA, Oct 3, 2004 (Xinhua) — Uganda and Sudan plan to build a modern railway line linking northern Ugandan city Gulu and southern Sudan city Juba via Nimule of Sudan, reported local press on Sunday.

Ugandan Minister of Works, Transport and Communications John Nasasira was quoted as saying at weekend when meeting the project planners in Kampala that “we have been in constant contact with the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and are planning on a joint permanent commission when the time come.”

The 208-km high-speed railway line is to be constructed by a
German company, Jahre Thormahlem Schwei-Btechnik, which has
presented its feasibility study. The Gulu-Juba line is estimated to cost 688 million Euros ( about 800 million US dollars).

“At the moment, we cannot tell who is going to fund the project, but we shall look at the proposal and then solicit for the funds. As you see it is an expensive project, but the government will definitely contribute,” Nasasira said.