The government of Uganda in partnership with Water Bus Globology Limited, a private company investing in water transport from Kenya has launched a new cross-border vessel to streamline water transport on Lake Victoria.
The new state-of-the-art vessel “MV Ormiston” is designed to enhance cross-border movement between Kenya and Uganda.
The launch took place on Friday at Sigulu landing site presided over by the Commissioner for Maritime, Robert Ntambi, who represented the State Minister for Transport, Fred Byamukama and at Port Victoria in Kenya by Busia Governor, Dr Paul Otuoma.
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The vessel will be plying the route from Sigulu, Bugana, up to Marenge at Port Victoria in Kenya. According to the Chief Executive Officer for Water Bus, Pritt Okoth, the route will serve as a vital link for communities and business people at both borders by offering an affordable and efficient transport solution between the two countries.
“Our vessel is safe and shall save people from unnecessary fatalities on the lake caused by strong winds; create employment opportunities not only for people in Kenya but also in Uganda. And since there is still a gap in cross-border transport, we have hope of unveiling a bigger vessel in the next few months to come.”
The vessel is designed with toilets and closed to protect its clients from environmental hazards such as rains and able to resist strong winds on top of moving at a very high speed. It carries up to a capacity of 80 people and cargo.
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The State Minister for Transport through Commissioner Ntambi noted that the new vessel under the Water Bus passed all tests and was certified by the Kenya Maritime Authority and licensed to operate by the Maritime Administration of Uganda.
“The vessel will provide a safe and reliable transportation system within the Lake Victoria Basin and it will greatly contribute to increased trade between the two countries, thus impacting positively on the livelihoods of the population. We are looking forward to seeing more vessels.” The minister noted in his speech.
He also revealed that the government is putting more emphasis on sustainably developing the inland water transport system adding that the initiatives are being put in place to promote safety and security of transport on all water bodies.
According to Byamukama, with improved regulation of the maritime industry in the country, it is expected that there will be increased investments in water transport by the private sector which the government is ready to support.
The Busia Governor, Dr Paul Otuoma appealed to both governments of Uganda and Kenya to continue streamlining the economic challenges affecting the border residents. According to him, economic progress will further solve security concerns and the related expenditure.
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The Village Chairperson of Matolo, Osbert Okello said the charges at the new vessel are favourable. According to him, canoes have been charging them sh20,000 travelling to and from on the designed route for the new vessel. But currently, it is almost reduced by 40 percent and safety is assured.
“We have always had a market day on Tuesday however, on some days, traders could suspend trade due to heavy winds making it hard to travel on small boats,” Okello noted.
The sub-county chairperson, Gilbert Wanyama noted that it is easy to determine the capacity of people boarding the vessel as well as the cargo contrary to the small boats which end up loading heavy weights and eventually capsize.
Gaetano Mudibo, a resident and also a registrar for NRM party at Siguru islands said often students studying at the mainland could miss planned reporting schedules due to heavy winds fearing to risk moving in small boats, besides, some complicating healthy emergency response as well.
The area MPs including Margret Okunga Makoha and Peter Babu Okheyo said transportation means have been hard for them to visit their electorates especially at Sigulu Island.
“We have so many widows and orphans whose husbands and parents have drowned using small boats to cross over. My team almost drowned during the campaign period due to heavy winds,” Namayingo Woman MP noted.
Siguru Island alone has a population of over 35,000 people. The government secured a ferry (MV Sigulu) to ply the routes of Sigulu and Dolwe but it has maintained only the route to Dolwe Islands.
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