Jinja is famous as an adventure destination and so most people visiting go to experience thrilling adventures such as white water rafting, quad biking, bungee jumping and boat trips to the Source of the Nile. Little do people know that Jinja is as much a historical destination. A lot of people especially the younger generation are unaware that Jinja is historically the industrial capital of Uganda, and the railway was pivotal in establishing Jinja as the industrial capital. One of the oldest historical buildings in Jinja is the Jinja Railway Station constructed in 1928
The railway in Uganda was/is more than just an infrastructure, it is a part (and parcel) of the colonial history of Uganda, constructed by the British to consolidate their influence on Uganda and east Africa. Though it was called the Uganda railway because the final destination was Uganda, it started from Mombasa coast in Kenya. The Museum therefore holds an important part of our history as Uganda and Kenya as well.
The Railway Museum in Jinja was established in March 2023, to showcase the history of the railway in Uganda and east Africa. The museum exhibits the story of the Railway, its impact in the region and the transformation of the old Railway technology over the years.
The museum has artefacts and remnants of old Railway systems including railway engineering systems, communication systems, booking/ticketing systems, etc…
The museum is a nice place to visit between adventures in Jinja and spice up the your Jinja day trip.
Listening to the guide talk about the history of the railway while going through the old artefacts of the museum is quite nostalgic. It feels like reliving the old times of Uganda. The museum offers a good learning experience, especially for the young, about the working of a railway system and technology.
Here are the highlights of a visit to the Uganda Railway Museum
- – History of the Uganda Railway in Uganda, i.e. how it came into Uganda
- – Challenges faced by the railway builders (heard of the man eaters of Tsavo?)
- – Go through the booking system and see the old tickets
- – See the old telephone and radio systems used by the railway staff
- – See parts used in construction of the railway line
- – Learn how a steam locomotive works
- – Enter the train and passenger cabins of the railway
- – Explore the Jinja railway station
Location of the museum
The museum is located along the Jinja – Iganga highway at the Jinja Railway Station, and is a short drive from the new Nile Bridge.
How much do you need to visit the railway museum
You can spend 1 – 2 hours at the museum
Opening hours of the museum
The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 6pm
Entry fees
Entry fee is as follows:
Ugandans
Adults – 5000 Uganda Shillings
Children/school groups – 2000 Uganda shillings
Internationals
Adults – $5
Children – $3
