One of the MV Kyoga ferries that has been plying Lake Kyoga has again broken down to the dismay of businessmen.
Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has been operating two ferries; MV Kyoga 1 and MV Kyoga 2 on Namasale – Zengebe ferry route on Lake Kyoga.
However, business that has been initially booming has stalled after one ferry- MV Kyoga 2 broke down and was taken out of operation on April 9, 2018, leaving businessmen struggling for space with the remaining ferry- MV Kyoga 1.
The Zengebe – Namasale ferries have been serving the neighbouring districts of Kaberamaido, Dokolo, Amolatar, Amuria and parts of Soroti. Most people especially businessmen from these areas access Kampala through this ferry route.
The Shs12.39bn ferry built by a Danish company Johs Gram- Hanssen-Western Marine Shipyard has a capacity of 16 vehicles and 120 passengers. It travels at 16.7 kilometres per hour, which is twice the speed of MV Kyoga I whose speed is 8.33 kilometres an hour and takes one hour and 10 minutes to cross the 9.1kilometer lake stretch from Namasale in Amolatar district to Zengebe in Nakasongola.
The breakdown of this MV Kyoga 2 ferry was brought to the attention of Parliament by Kioga County MP Anthony Okello who summoned the minister for Works and Transport to explain what measures government is putting in place to bring the ferry back in operation.
In response, state minister for Works, Aggrey Henry Bagiire admitted that indeed the MV Kyoga 2 ferry had broken down and residents and businessmen may have to wait a little longer for it to return on water.
“The ferry route on Lake Kyoga via Zengebe – Namasale is open and we are providing ferry services using MV Kyoga 1 ferry, which is managing the traffic at the moment,” Bagiire said.
He added, “Normally, we operate two ferries; MV Kyoga 1 and MV Kyoga 2 interchangeably because traffic is not sufficient to operate them concurrently on the route but the latter was taken out of operation on 9th April 2018 due to a breakdown of one of its key components, the propeller. Initial repair interventions were undertaken but were not successful and it was concluded that a replacement of a propeller was necessary. The breakdown happened after expiry of the warranty period and therefore its replacement is the responsibility of Government.”
The process of replacement of a propeller is however, most likely to take longer since the component has to be manufactured by the manufacturer.
“We were advised by the component manufacturer that this type of propeller is not readily available in stock and therefore has to be manufactured,” he said.
He added that the procurement process has been started and it is envisaged that delivery of the propeller will be within 3-4 months.
“The repair to restore the ferry will be undertaken immediately upon receipt of the spare component. The Ferry is expected to resume operations by end of September 2018. Orders for the propeller and related parts have already been placed,” Bagiire said.
In February this year, UNRA temporarily closed the route after its two ferries broke down. Travelers were diverted to Masindi Port ferry via the Apac-Lira-Dokolo-Amolatar alternative route. It was however reopened four days later.
