The Uganda Railway Museum at Jinja Railway Station offers a varied programme, including:
- Guided tours of the museum and locomotive
- A train experience in a restored but stationed locomotive and coach.
- In the cinema section of the coach, visitors can watch a short film on the history of the railway in Uganda.
- Heritage theme nights such as the movie night every Friday
- A cafeteria whose menu is themed on the railway concept
- The Akatale – a monthly market day that provides space to the local crafts community.
What are the opening hours of the Uganda Railway Museum?
The Uganda Railway Museum is open to the general public from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm. (Note that the museum is closed on Mondays). If you’re traveling in a group, it’s recommended you book in advance.
How much does it cost to visit the Uganda Railway Museum?
Domestic tourists: 5,000 UGX for adults; 2,000 UGX for children
International visitors: $5 for adults; $3 for children
When did the Uganda Railway Museum open to the public?
The Museum officially opened in March 2022 and it is operated by the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) in partnership with Uganda Railways Corporation (URC). The Uganda Railway Museum is a member of the Uganda Community Museums Association (UCOMA), the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO), and The International Committee for Conservation of Industrial Heritage (TICCIH).
History of the Uganda Railway
Uganda’s railways played a fundamental role in the economic, colonial and post-colonial development of the country in terms of bringing communities together, allowing access to education and other facilities, and cementing national consciousness. The introduction of the railways in Uganda followed the August 1895 Bill in the British Parliament, authorising the construction of a railway from Mombasa to the shores of Lake Victoria. This marked the beginning of the Uganda Railway, which eventually expanded all the way to Pakwach in the north and Kasese in the west.
For many years, however, Uganda’s railways have been unused or underused, with historical artefacts (such as equipment, engines and carriages) and buildings (such as stations and workers’ cottages) falling into disrepair. The enormous contribution of railways to Uganda’s history cannot go uncelebrated and memories kept alive. It is for this cause that the European Union and SOGEA SATOM supported CCFU in partnership with URC to establish the Uganda Railway Museum.
There are ongoing government efforts to revamp Uganda’s railway transport with the rehabilitation of the northern line and the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway. The establishment of the Uganda Railway Museum complements the government of Uganda’s efforts to highlight the importance of railway transport by reinvigorating its interest among Ugandans.
Read the book “Our Railways, Our History” available to buy at the Uganda Railway Museum
What is the role of the Uganda Railway Museum?
“The museum presents a great opportunity to recognise and appreciate the history of the railways in Uganda, their role in the lives of Ugandans who lived and worked along them, and their place in the country’s political and economic development. The European Union is delighted to support the revival of this crucial infrastructure and an important piece of our collective memory in Uganda.”
Ms. Caroline Adriaensen, the Head of Cooperation, speaking on behalf of H.E. Attilio Pacifici, the Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Uganda at the grand opening of the museum in March 2022
His Lordship Okocha Kasolo, Mayor, Jinja City in his remarks at the opening of the museum thanked the government of Uganda for the current efforts to revive the railways, noting that if the railways are revived fully, there will be little pressure on the roads and therefore their lifespan will increase. He thanked CCFU for initiating the idea of establishing a railway museum and noted that an initiative like this will positively impact the finances of Jinja City as well as for the dwellers in the city.
The establishment of the Uganda Railways Museum is premised on the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU)’s previous works on the history of the railway in Uganda. A book titled “Our Railways, Our History” was produced in 2021 to recognise and celebrate the story of Uganda’s railway lines; explore their role in the lives of Ugandans who lived and worked along them, and their place in the country’s economic and political development. The book is available at 90,000 UGX at selected bookshops and CCFU offices in Kampala.
“We have always advocated for the safeguarding of historic buildings, sites and monuments but the establishment of the Museum gives us a chance to demonstrate to the general public how to preserve a historic building sustainably.”
CCFU’s Executive Director, Ms. Barbra Babweteera Mutambi
Are you planning to visit the Uganda Railway Museum in Jinja?
The full contact details are above.
Note that the museum is closed on Mondays and open from 9 am – 6 pm six days a week. If you’re traveling in a group, it’s recommended you book in advance.
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