Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on Thursday flagged off the return of MV Pamba into transportation service after 16 years of dysfunctional.
Anticipated to boost country’s economy with cheap transport, MV Pamba returns on waters of Lake Victoria after being fully rehabilitated by the Chinese.
In company of Works and Transport Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala, Nabbanja said that water is one of the cheapest means of transport but has not been fully exploited in Uganda.
“I am happy that MV Pamba is back to business,” Nabbanja said.
She wants the new vessel to be affordable for those who want to use it if it is to play its intended role.
Nabbanja revealed that for a country like Uganda to develop, it needs to invest more such vessels to transport cargo and ensure the country’s roads are saved from damage.
“We lose a lot of money to repair roads instead of investing in such vessels.”
Gen Katumba said the return of MV Pamba will boost Uganda’s capacity to handle business on Lake Victoria.
“With MV Pamba getting to sail, we are going to increase on the tonnage we are hauling through the lake. We think that on a monthly basis, we should be able to bring in at least 21,000 tons of cargo into the country,” he said.
Airtel Africa and SpaceX Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch Starlink Direct to Cell Connectivity Across AfricaThe 36-year-old vessel will operate on Lake Victoria between Port Bell, Jinja, Mwanza and Kisumu making an average of 12 journeys per month.
According to Stanley Ssendegeya, the Uganda Railways Corporation Managing Director, the only cargo vessel can carry up to 1000 tons of cargo or one million litres of fuel per trip.
“We charge less than half the other modes of transport in terms of prices. We will charge $20 between Mwanza and Kisumu,” Ssendegeya said.
Built in 1986 by the Belgian Ship Incorporation, MV Pamba was manufactured under the same arrangement as MV Kabalega, MV Kaawa and MV Mwanga.
The government owned vessel is managed by Uganda Railways Corporation but was grounded in 2005 after colliding with MV Kawa a few metres away from Port Bell.
In 2020, Chinese engineering company, Mango Group was given the contract to rehabilitate and upgrade the vessel.
The vessel with 24-crew has the capacity to carry 22 wagons (22 40ft containers or 44 20ft containers).
