Kampala—The Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has announced plans to install automated barrier systems at high-risk railway level crossings in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono following Friday’s fatal collision between a passenger train and a school bus in Mukono District.
The corporation said the safety upgrade is aimed at reducing accidents at railway crossings by installing automated boom gates, flashing warning lights and audible alarms that activate whenever a train approaches.
The announcement came hours after a passenger train collided with a Mwebaze High School bus at a railway crossing in Nakisunga Sub-county, Mukono District, killing one person and injuring several students who were travelling to Jinja for an educational trip.
In a statement issued on Friday, URC described the incident as tragic and expressed sympathy to the victims and their families.
“Today’s events were deeply unfortunate. We extend our sincere concern to all those affected,” the corporation said.
URC said procurement of the automated railway crossing equipment is already at an advanced stage.
According to the corporation, the systems will include automated boom gates, flashing warning lights and audible alarms designed to alert motorists and pedestrians whenever a train is approaching.
“Uganda Railways Corporation is actively implementing interventions to address risks at high-risk level crossings, and procurement is already at an advanced stage,” the statement said.
The corporation said the new infrastructure is expected to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and other road users at some of the country’s busiest railway crossings.
As a short-term measure, URC said it will increase the deployment of personnel at railway crossings before the automated systems are installed.
“In the meantime, additional personnel will be deployed at level crossings as an immediate safety measure,” the corporation said.
URC added that it is working with the Ministry of Works and Transport to construct speed humps on roads approaching selected railway crossings to slow down vehicles and improve driver awareness.
Police said one female passenger died at the scene of Friday’s crash, while several students sustained injuries and were taken to Mukono General Referral Hospital and other nearby health facilities for treatment.
Authorities have launched investigations to establish the cause of the collision.
The accident has renewed concerns over safety at railway crossings, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas where road traffic frequently intersects with railway lines.
URC has in recent years stepped up public awareness campaigns urging motorists to stop, look and listen before crossing railway lines, noting that trains require much longer distances to stop than road vehicles.
The planned installation of automated barrier systems is expected to be one of the corporation’s most significant railway safety improvements in recent years, with officials expressing hope that it will significantly reduce crashes at high-risk railway crossings across the country.