Islanders welcoming MV NODL on Bukasa Island. This vessel will ply the Bukasa - Nakiwogo route on Lake Victoria twice a week as a Government initiative to decrease drowning cases. (Credit: Samuel Nkuba)

KALANGALA - The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, is set to construct more docking piers in the Kalangala islands to ease private investors’ efforts to improve water transport.

According to works and transport minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, over six docking piers are planned for construction.

“Government is going to construct docking piers on islands of Kitobo, Bubeke, Jaana, Serinya, Bufumira and Buyovu. We believe private investors will be happy to bring their boats to improve interconnectivity in the islands,” he said.

He made the revelation on November 4, 2025, while launching voyages of MV NODL, a vessel licensed to transport people from Bukasa Island in Kyamuswa subcounty, Kalangala district, to Nakiwogo in Entebbe, Wakiso district.

According to the minister, the vessel was cleared to operate on the route to improve water transport after the government’s plan to procure a passenger-cargo vessel for Kyamuswa was delayed by the outbreak of COVID-19, which stalled the country’s economy.

“Though you wanted a vessel that can carry vehicles, let’s start with this passenger vessel as we finalise the procurement process as well as constructing piers on Bukasa, Bubeke, Bufumira and Kitobo islands,” said Katumba.

The minister added that “apparently, we have partnered with Nation Oil Distributors Limited (NODL) to operate the route twice a week as one way of saving travellers from drowning while sailing on rickety wooden boats.”

The vessel, upon commencement of its operations, will charge sh20,000 for first-class tickets, while second-class travellers will pay sh15,000.

MV NODL becomes the second vessel to operate on the Kyamuswa route, following last year’s introduction of MV Ormiston (water bus) by Kyamuswa legislator Moses Kabuusu. The vessel connects Kyamuswa, Buyange, Bubeke, and Jaana islands to Kasenyi landing site daily at a cost of sh30,000, aimed at improving the safety of islanders.

Sadala Musoke, the CEO of National Oil Distributors Limited (NODL), said they will work hand in hand with existing vessels to boost tourism and development through easier transport to and from the Kalangala Islands.

He further revealed plans to construct a standard docking pier at Kiwungu landing site on Bukasa Island.

“After final construction of Kiwungu pier, we will also construct a hotel, a waiting bay and H C Ill on this docking point,” said Sadala.

Kyamuswa once had MV Babasi, a cargo-passenger vessel that operated on the same route in the 1970s and 1980s before it was withdrawn for repairs.

Since then, Kyamuswa residents have relied on rickety wooden boats that often depart as late as 11 pm, connecting different islands before arriving at their final destination, Kasenyi, between 8 am and 9 am.

Locals say the new vessel will promote tourism and facilitate business transactions.
“Bukasa is one of the islands that is rich in tourism, but it has been untapped because tourists fear travelling on wooden boats. This vessel will boost tourism and as locals we will boost business by taking our agricultural products to the market,” said Yosiya Nkunyinji.

Nkunyinji, a boat proprietor, however, said the new vessel will not interfere with their business.

“It’s working on only one island, yet the district has 84 islands which are still virgin for us to continue still providing transport services to the locals that live there,” he said.

Sunday Gerald Kayita, the LC3 chairperson for Mazinga subcounty, called on the government to consider their area as well.

“Mazinga’s waters are more prone to boat capsizes but if the chance is also availed for an improved mode of transport, our people’s lives will be saved from spending 8 hours to Kasenyi or 6 hours to Lambu in Masaka,” he said.

Tuesday's launch saw locals given the opportunity to decide which days the vessel will conduct its two weekly round trips to and from the islands.