Transportation
infrastructure,
which
was badly
damaged
during
the political
turmoil
and violence
of the
1970s
and early
1980s,
continues
to be
in a
state
of disrepair.
Most
of Uganda's
foreign
trade
passes
through
the transportation
networks
of Kenya
and is
dependent
on Kenya's
roads,
rail,
and the
port
of Mombasa.
In an
effort
to reduce
this
dependency,
Uganda
has tried
to expand
its links
through
Tanzania.
Part
of this
plan
includes
developing
the use
of ports
on Lake
Victoria.
Road
Uganda has about 27,000 kilometers of roads, of which only 22% are paved.
There have been recent major improvements to Uganda's road network. Major arteries
have been resurfaced, but there are not enough funds for regular maintenance.
There continues to be a shortage of vehicles and spare parts. There were more
than 126,000 vehicles in 1996, up from 31,000 in 1987.
Railways
Like the road system, the rail system has also suffered from neglect and
political instability. The rail system is from the colonial era and there are
large sections of the 1,240 kilometers of track in desperate need of repair.
The main line from Mombasa-Nairobi-Kampala is in operation but it is very slow.
Passenger traffic between the two capitals was resumed in 1993. Because the
rail system is in such disrepair, most of Uganda's freight transport is done
by road. The government, in an attempt to reduce road freight, has begun to
modernize the rail system but has found it difficult because there is a lack
of donors.
Airways
Major repairs have been done to the Entebbe airport. Uganda has a national
airline, the Ugandan Airlines Corporation, that operates four planes. There
are no scheduled domestic flights.
199219941996
Railway
Passenger traffic ('000 passenger-km)62,69634,86927,000
Goods traffic ('000 tons-km)119,134207,999163,300
Road
Vehicle (number)53,04572,508126,214
Air (Entebbe)
Passengers ('000)166250350
Railways: total: 1,241 km narrow gauge: 1,241
km 1.000-m gauge note: a program to rehabilitate the railroad was
underway in 1995
Highways: total: 27,000 km paved: 1,800
km unpaved: 25,200 km (of which about 4,800 km are all-weather roads)
(1990 est.)
Waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake
George, Lake Edward, Victoria Nile, Albert Nile
Ports and harbors: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell
Merchant marine: total: 3 roll-on/roll-off cargo
ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,091 GRT/8,229 DWT (1997 est.)
Airports: 29 (1997 est.)
Airportswith paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047
m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airportswith unpaved runways: total: 24 2,438
to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under
914 m: 8 (1997 est.)
Source: CIA World Fact Book.
