Uganda is pushing for the establishment of a regional shipping line and a maritime university as part of efforts to reduce the cost of transporting goods, create employment for young people and strengthen Africa’s participation in international trade.
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama said the proposals would form part of Uganda’s priorities during the 9th Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) Annual Conference and General Assembly, which the country will host in Kampala from November 17 to 19, 2026.
The three-day conference will take place at Speke Resort Munyonyo and bring together heads of African maritime administrations, international institutions, policymakers, and other industry stakeholders to discuss the development of Africa’s maritime industry.
Among the expected participants is the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, whose participation is expected to give the meeting high-level international representation.
The conference will be held under the theme, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Africa’s Maritime Transformation through Effective Governance, Innovation and Sustainable Blue Economy.”
Byamukama said the meeting would provide an opportunity for African countries to move beyond policy discussions and agree on practical measures to address challenges affecting maritime transport, trade connectivity, safety and the development of the blue economy.
“This conference presents an opportunity for African maritime administrations and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategic issues affecting the maritime sector, strengthen regional cooperation and advance a common agenda for the sustainable development of Africa’s maritime industry,” Byamukama said.
The Association of African Maritime Administrations was established under Article 5 of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter, adopted by the African Union in Kampala in 2010, as the coordinating organ responsible for implementing the charter.
Uganda’s hosting of the conference comes at a time when government is seeking to increase the contribution of water transport to the economy, particularly through improved port infrastructure, regional shipping arrangements, maritime skills development and stronger safety systems.
One of the key proposals Uganda intends to advance is the establishment of a Regional Shipping Line to facilitate the movement of goods from the region to international markets at competitive costs.
The proposed shipping line is intended to reduce the region’s dependence on foreign shipping companies, improve trade connectivity and strengthen Africa’s participation in global supply chains.
Uganda relies on regional transport corridors to move its imports and exports through international markets, making the cost and efficiency of cargo transportation an important factor in the country’s trade competitiveness.
Byamukama said the proposed shipping arrangement would help address some of the challenges associated with transporting goods while giving regional countries a stronger position in international trade.
Government is also pursuing the establishment of a Regional Maritime University to train young people in specialised maritime professions and prepare them for employment aboard international vessels.
The minister said Africa currently accounts for only four per cent of the global seafarer workforce, presenting an opportunity for the continent to train more professionals and supply skilled labour to the international shipping industry.
“Establishment of a Regional Maritime University to equip our young people with the specialised skills and professional qualifications required to work aboard international vessels is one of the key areas of focus.
“Currently, Africa accounts for only four per cent of the global sea workforce, which is an opportunity for Uganda to export skilled labour to the shipping industry, thus reducing unemployment levels for our people,” Byamukama said.
The initiative is expected to address the shortage of specialised maritime skills while opening employment opportunities for Ugandans in an industry where the continent has a relatively small share of the global workforce.
Byamukama also revealed that Uganda is saving more than Shs270 billion through retaining marine cargo insurance business within the country.
Marine cargo insurance covers goods being transported through shipping and other transportation arrangements against risks associated with their movement.
The minister presented the savings as one of the benefits of strengthening the country’s participation in maritime-related business instead of allowing the associated services and opportunities to be concentrated outside Uganda.
He said the high cost of transporting goods remained one of the major challenges affecting businesses along regional trade corridors.
Byamukama cited the Mombasa-Kampala route, where road transportation costs USD1.8 per container per kilometre, compared to the global average of USD1 per container per kilometre.
The comparison highlights the cost disadvantage facing traders and businesses that depend on road transport to move cargo from the Kenyan port of Mombasa to Uganda.
Government is therefore looking at inland water transport as an important alternative for moving goods, particularly through Lake Victoria, which connects Uganda to Kenya and Tanzania.
“Inland water transport remains a strategic priority because of its potential to reduce the cost of cargo transportation, improve connectivity, stimulate economic activity in lakeside communities and reduce pressure on our road infrastructure,” Byamukama said.
At the centre of the government’s inland water transport strategy is the development of Bukasa Port in Wakiso District on Lake Victoria.
The proposed modern port is expected to facilitate cargo transportation, particularly goods moving through the regional ports of Kisumu in Kenya and Mwanza in Tanzania.
The development is intended to strengthen Uganda’s integration into the regional maritime transport network and provide improved connectivity for cargo moving through Lake Victoria.
Government is also undertaking the rehabilitation and upgrading of Port Bell, Jinja Port and Ntoroko Port to improve their capacity to handle cargo and passengers.
The improvements are expected to enhance operational efficiency at the facilities and strengthen the country’s inland water transport infrastructure.
The focus on ports and inland waterways is part of a wider strategy to reduce pressure on road infrastructure while providing businesses with additional transportation options.
For Uganda, improved water transport connectivity is also expected to benefit communities around the country’s major lakes by facilitating the movement of passengers, agricultural produce and other goods.
Beyond infrastructure development, government is also investing in maritime safety and emergency response systems to address risks associated with transportation on Uganda’s waters.
Byamukama said government had established five search and rescue centres strategically located across the country’s major water bodies.
The centres have been equipped with rescue boats and safety communication equipment and will operate under the coordination of a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Entebbe.
The coordination centre is expected to strengthen communication between rescue facilities, improve the coordination of emergency operations and enhance the protection of passengers and other people using the country’s waters.
The investment is intended to improve the country’s ability to respond to accidents and emergencies on lakes and other inland waterways.
Government has also established a Maritime Survival Training Centre in Entebbe to equip local boat operators with essential maritime safety knowledge and practical survival skills.
The centre is expected to strengthen the capacity of local operators to manage risks associated with water transportation and improve safety practices among people operating boats.
Government is also expanding inland water transport connectivity through the establishment of new ferry routes and improvement of existing services, particularly for island and lakeside communities.
Byamukama said Uganda currently had 13 ferries, with two additional ferries commissioned to serve Buyende, Kaberamaido and Serere districts, while two more were under construction on Lake Bunyonyi.
The expansion is intended to improve access for communities that depend on water transport to connect with mainland areas and access markets and essential services.
Ferry services are particularly important for communities separated from mainland areas by water, where alternative transport options can be limited.
The minister said government would continue investing in the expansion of ferry services to improve connectivity and support economic activity in communities along the country’s inland waterways.
“Government continues to expand connectivity across Uganda’s inland waterways through the establishment of new ferry routes and improvement of existing services to serve island and lakeside communities,” he said.
The Kampala conference is expected to provide a platform for African countries to discuss the implementation of maritime policies, improve institutional capacity, strengthen regional partnerships and explore opportunities in the sustainable blue economy.
Byamukama said Uganda recognised maritime transport as an important component of international trade, particularly in reducing the cost of doing business, creating employment and accelerating economic transformation.
He said the country would use its position as host to contribute to discussions on how African maritime administrations could work together to address challenges affecting the industry.
“Uganda’s hosting of the 9th Association of African Maritime Administrations Annual Conference and General Assembly is both an honour and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Africa’s maritime agenda,” he said.
The minister added that government was committed to working with African maritime administrations, the International Maritime Organization and development partners to build a safe, secure, efficient and sustainable maritime sector.
He said Uganda expected the deliberations to produce practical resolutions, stronger partnerships and commitments that would accelerate the transformation of Africa’s maritime industry.
“As a land-linked country with significant inland water resources, Uganda recognises that the development of an efficient, safe and competitive maritime transport system is fundamental to our national development aspirations, regional integration and participation in international trade,” Byamukama said.
