The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Robinnah Nabanja on Thursday, 10th of February launched the newly rehabilitated MV Pamba. The Railway Wagon ferry had been grounded since 2005 at Portbell Pier due to non-conformity with class requirements and the lack of insurance cover.
However, on 18th May 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Uganda (represented by Ministry of Works and Transport) and M/S Mango Tree Group Limited (MTGL). As per the MoU, MTGL was to carry out the rehabilitation, upgrade, and class, insure and commission MV Pamba wholly at its own cost. The MoU was valid for a period of 12 months.
The MoU further states that upon completion of the rehabilitation and upgrade of the vessel, the Ministry of Works and Transport will enable MTGL to obtain the concession from URC to operate the vessel on a commercial basis and on terms and conditions negotiated under a separate and specific agreement.
As a result of this MoU, the vessel was handed over to MTGL on 27th May 2020 at Port Bell Luzira by the Hon. Minister of State for Transport, Joy KAbatsi. The rehabilitation works were completed by MTGL on 8th November 2021 after a successful sea trial and the rehabilitation costs were estimated to have cost Twelve Billion Uganda Shillings (UGX 12,000,000,000).
While launching the loaded vessel, the Prime Minister noted that the revitalization of the water transport after many years of inactivity is testament to the government’s commitment to strengthening and growing the Ugandan economy and the private sector through provision of reliable, safe and effective transport services and infrastructure.
This vessel is projected to ply the routes between PortBell, Jinja Port, Mwanza Port, and Kisumu Port doing on average twelve voyages per month moving approximately 21,120 Tonnes of cargo.
Present to witness the launch of MV Pamba was The Minister for Works and Transport, Hon. Gen. Katumba Wamala.
“I am very happy today to have MV Pamba rehabilitated and ready to sail again after 17 years of being grounded. MV Kaawa which was grounded at the same time as Pamba has been sailing since 2012 and brought life back to Lake Victoria transport. The addition of MV Pamba therefore seals our intentions to make our Lake Victoria a very vital transport resource for our country and region,” said Katumba while addressing guests at Portbell Pier.
Uganda is soon going to enlist among the oil producing countries of the world. This has necessitated the development of numerous prerequisite transport infrastructure to match the requirements of the highly prospective oil and gas sector.
Countries in the region are also experiencing good economic growth over the last years hence an increase in both exports and imports. With this addition, Uganda is strategically placed to serve as a conduit in growing and promoting inter-state commerce and trade between the sister nations and particularly the private sector.
In concluding her speech, The Prime Minister called upon all the players in this sector including business community, shippers, clearing agents, manufacturers and the general public to support this service by bringing all their cargo so that the route grows further and service becomes better.
She also directed URC to work tirelessly to re-earn the trust and confidence of their customers which it once enjoyed.