Namayingo demands full control of MV Sigulu ferry

The vessel, a government undertaking, was constructed by JGH Marine, a Danish firm, at a cost of Shs16b to connect Sigulu and Lolwe Islands to Lugala mainland in Namayingo District.

On July 28, 2019, it underwent its first floating exercise on Lake Victoria under the supervision of Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra).
According to Mr Wanda, upon completion in March 2019, the ferry was to be taken to Sigulu Island as ‘an Easter gift’ from government.

“However, nothing has materialised and nobody from Unra has ever given us a clear answer. It is like delivering a baby and another person looks after it. Why does a vessel which has our name [Sigulu] continue to dock at Jinja? Isn’t there water in Namayingo?” Mr Wanda asked.

Other docking points
Mr Wanda added that the vessel is supposed to dock at Watega in Bukana Sub-county, Bumalenge in Sigulu Sub-county and Kandege in Lolwe Sub-county.

“While Watega and Bumalenge are temporarily complete, construction at Kandege is yet to begin; but in the meantime, it can dock at either Watega or Bumalenge instead of Jinja,” he said.

“All we want is Unra to tell us something because we have a need. Certain roads that are to be worked on are at a standstill because earth-moving equipment can’t be delivered to the island,” Mr Wanda said.

Mr Wanda said ‘persistent postponement’ by Unra has left the district on the brink of losing millions of shillings in road fund in the next Financial Year.
“We planned to work on two roads measuring 30 kilometres, but with one quarter of the Financial Year left and the ferry not forthcoming, we are likely to lose millions of shillings.

“This is because once the Financial Year ends and we have not used that money, it is returned to the government coffers,” Mr Wanda said.
In December 2018, a 20-man delegation from Namayingo District was taken on a site tour of the ferry, whose construction works had reached about 70 per cent.

Mr James Ouma Wandera, the district secretary for health and education, and Mr David Bwire, the Namayingo councillor for people with disabilities, were among the delegation.
Mr Wandera said residents were looking forward to receiving the vessel because expectant mothers were making a 20-kilometre boat ride to Kenya to give birth and immunise their children.

Ugandan mothers were paying KShs500 (Shs15,000) to have their children immunised yet the service is free in Uganda.
Mr Bwire, on the other hand, said being lifted into a canoe with a wheelchair was his worst challenge.

Vessel as fit as a fiddle
Meanwhile, Mr Aggrey Ojambo, 69, a marine engineer at Uganda Railways Corporation, said the vessel’s inactivity and continued docking at Masese in Jinja will affect its performance.
“The fact that it is docked on Lake Victoria which is a fresh-water environment means it is still in a perfect condition, even if it remained docked there for 10 years.

“But if it was docked on ocean waters, there would be some concerns. The only probable concern now, is that after six months of inactivity, the functionality of the oils will be affected which will have to be replenished,” Mr Ojambo said.
Mr Ojambo further conceded that the marine industry in Uganda is still at its infancy stage.

Earlier, a source at JGH Marine, who preferred anonymity, said the qualification levels for crew members are high against a young marine industry in Uganda.
He said a crew must have a captain, mate, second mate, bosun, chief engineer, second engineer, medical purser and cook.

“MV Sigulu must have a Captain and second engineer who should have studied Marine Engineering for at least five years plus a course on navigation; but the problem is there’s no maritime academy in Uganda,” he said.
According to the source, the vessel remains docked at Masese due to lack of insurance cover and crew members, a suggestion that was corroborated by Unra in an earlier interview.

Unra speaks out
“Insurance will be paid after the vessel has been completed; however, there is a crew in place,” Mr Mark Ssali, the Unra spokesperson, said in the interview.
During an interview with this publication in October last year, Mr Ssali said the vessel would be dispatched to Namayingo this year, subject to availability of a budget for its operation and maintenance.

However, when asked on Monday to provide a tentative date or month when the vessel would be delivered to Namayingo, Mr Ssali said: “I will first seek a proper explanation from the head of ferries [at Unra] before sharing.”

Features on ferry

• Consists of the main deck, first tier deck, second tier deck and the wheel house.
• The main deck has been designed to carry the largest number of passengers and cargo including cars, the second tier deck has an emergency health facility while the first tier deck is a limited space with seats, a restaurant and staircase down to the engine room.
• The wheel house or bridge is the top-most compartment in which the captain and his crew sit.
• Additionally, the ferry, which is made from marine grade steel, weighs 300 tonnes, is 42 metres long, 11 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep. It will carry a maximum of 300 passengers, 15 cars at a speed of up to 10 knots. (12.96 kph)
• The ferry also has three engines although it will be able to run on two while one is off. This is to offer continued service during maintenance of the other engine.

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