KAMPALA—Uganda’s coffee exporters are set to benefit from lower transport costs after the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) resumed hauling coffee exports by rail for the first time in eight years.
The latest shipment marks a major step in restoring rail freight services for one of Uganda’s biggest export commodities, offering businesses a cheaper and more efficient alternative to road transport.
The inaugural consignment consisted of 29 containers, including 28 twenty-foot containers and one forty-foot container, with a total cargo weight of 606.6 tonnes destined for the Port of Mombasa.
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According to URC, transporting the shipment by rail cost approximately USD 21,570, compared with an estimated USD 84,500 if moved by road. The switch to rail saved the exporter around USD 62,930 in freight costs.
Beyond reducing expenses, the move also brings environmental and logistical benefits. A single train carried cargo that would have required about 17 heavy-duty trucks, helping reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and minimize wear and tear on major highways.
The development comes as Uganda’s coffee industry continues to record strong export performance. Figures from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries show the country exported 8.6 million bags of coffee between June 2025 and May 2026, although none of those exports had been transported by rail during that period.
URC says the return of coffee haulage is expected to strengthen its freight business while giving exporters a more affordable and reliable transport option to regional ports. The corporation believes increased use of rail could further improve Uganda’s trade competitiveness by cutting logistics costs and supporting sustainable transport.
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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