Uganda: 1,840 tonnes of steel delivered by rail to Devki site

Uganda Railways Corporation has transported 1,840 tonnes of steel plates from the port of Mombasa to the inland terminal in Tororo for the construction of the Devki factory in eastern Uganda. The transport, completed in six days, supports the development of a $500 million steel complex.

The shipment of heavy structures is intended for the Kayoro site in the Tororo district. After arriving at the terminal, the materials will travel the final 27 kilometers by road to the construction site.

Devki plans to achieve an annual capacity of one million tonnes of steel. The Uganda Investment Authority indicates that the factory is expected to reach full capacity by the end of 2027 and create approximately 15,000 direct jobs across the value chain, from ore extraction to logistics.

The project is set to utilize the iron ore resources available in Uganda. The government presents the investment as a means to develop local processing and reduce dependence on imports of steel products.

Uganda Railways Corporation claims that rail transport can cost up to 50% less than road transport for heavy cargo. According to the state-owned company, the delivery of this shipment has avoided the use of about 65 trucks on the corridor connecting Mombasa to Tororo.

The project was launched on November 23, 2025, in the presence of Presidents Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto.