The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has set afloat the MV Sigulu ferry onto the waters of Lake Victoria after seven months of construction at Masese landing site.
According to UNRA, the vessel will connect Namayingo district to the Islands of Lolwe and Sigulu, providing safe means of transport to the communities of Namayingo, Lolwe and Sigulu Islands at no cost
“It is expected to positively impact the communities through increased volumes of trade, tourism and increased access to social services that are not easily available on the islands.” Reads part of the statement.
The modern ferry which has a passenger capacity of 300 was constructed by Johs Gram-Hanssen (JGH), Western Marine Shipyard Limited Joint Venture. It has a Pay Load (Weight it can carry) 200 Tones, 15 Medium Vehicles and7 Knots (14 km/hr) Speed.
Key features include the hull, propulsion systems, wheelhouse, and sheltered passenger seating areas, crest rest room, a medical room and a cafeteria. It is however expected to be launched by president Museveni later next month.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Works and Transport yesterday unveiled plans for the construction of Bukasa Port on shores of Lake Victoria.
According to the ministry, the port will provide reliable, effective and sustainable multi-modal transport system along the Central and Northern Corridor.
Expected to serve as trio-modal cargo handling facility for road, rail and water transport, the port will sit on 400 hectares on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Bukasa Port will serve as an International Transportation Logistic and Business Hub center for assembling, de-commissioning, storage & re-distribution of exports/imports.
“It will be an International Transportation Logistic and Business Hub center for assembling, de-commissioning, storage & re-distribution of exports/imports with regard to demand and supply chain along the Central Corridor Standard Gauge Railway, KLA-Jinja Express Highway and at Kampala Industrial Business Park- Namanve,” said the ministry.
According to the ministry, the Port will be constructed in three phases, which include:
Phase 1: covers preparation of Master Plan, Preliminary Design, and construction of start-up infrastructure, Dredging, Pilling and Swamp Surcharging. This Phase will be completed in April 2020.
Phase 2: covers construction of Bukasa Port to capacity of 2.3 million tons per year, construction of shipyard and floating dock. This Phase is expected to be completed by 2021.
Phase 3: covers future extension of the Port to the capacity of 5.2 million tons and to the maximum peak of 7.5 million tons. That Phase is expected to be completed by 2030.
