Uganda Launches MV Palm Ferry to Improve Trade and Agricultural Connectivity on Lake Victoria
Uganda launched a new ferry named MV Palm-Uganda on Lake Victoria, operating from Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district to Kirongo in Buvuma District. The vessel aims to boost agricultural activities and improve trade. With a capacity to carry 519 passengers and 25 vehicles, the 230-tonne ferry is equipped with necessary navigation and safety equipment, featuring roll-off capabilities on both sides. It can operate continuously for 24 hours without stopping.
A new ferry on Lake Victoria was launched on 27th May 2023. MV Palm-Uganda’ will ply the route on Lake Victoria from Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district to Kirongo in Buvuma District The four-engine ferry was designed and built by Songoro Marine Transport Limited in Mwanza, Tanzania.
The government secured the vessel through the National Oil Palm Project with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development-IFAD at a cost of 12 .5 Billion Shillings.
The ferry was handed over to the Ministry of Works and Transport for management. The ferry was secured mainly to boost agricultural activities in Buvuma Islands besides further improving trade.
The Country Manager of Songoro Marine Transport Limited, Richard Katende said the new vessel doubles the capacity of the existing MV Buvuma ferry. He said that it has a capacity of carrying 519 passengers and 25 vehicles fitted with the necessary navigation and safety equipment.
The 230-tonne ferry is also built with roll-off on both sides and this enables vehicles to be driven straight on and off the vessel. The vessel is able to make a journey for 24 hours without stopping.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister for Works and Transport implored residents to make good use of the ferry and participate in farming and trade since now the government has solved the challenge of transport on water.
The Buvuma Member of Parliament, Robert Migadde Ndugwa expressed happiness saying people will no longer waste a lot of time waiting as it has been since the new
MV Palm comes at a time when farmers at Buvuma and Buikwe have been crying foul over the failure to transport their goods and produce such bananas, coffee, maize, tomatoes, and beans to markets due to delays by the old ferry.
The old ferry had started developing rampant mechanical breakdowns forcing the management to reduce the number of routes from four to two.
