Government to put ferry on Lake Bunyonyi, build link road
Planning minister David Bahati sail (fourth left) on Lake Bunyonyi to attend the fundraising function at Katooma Church of Uganda in Kitumba Sub-county on Sunday. The minister revealed that government is to purchase a ferry to help ease transport on Lake Bunyonyi. PHOTO BY ROBERT MUHEREZA
Kabale- The State minister for Finance-in-charge of Planning, Mr David Bahati, has said the government has secured $18m (about Shs66b) for the construction of the eight kilometre Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi Road and purchase of a ferry that will be transporting people across the lake, free of charge.
Mr Bahati revealed this on Sunday at Katooma Church of Uganda during a fundraising drive.
“You remember President Museveni in 2016 pledged the construction and tarmacking of Kabale-Lake Bunyonyi Road and the buying of a ferry to provide safe means of transport to the people around the lake. The good news is that government has secured $18 million to fund these two projects. The procurement process is ongoing,” Mr Bahati said.
He added: “Community leaders should work with the technocrats from the Ministry of Works and Transport to identify suitable landing sites for the ferry.”
He donated 200 iron sheets for the roofing of the church and promised to deliver five bags of 100 kilogrammes of Irish potato seedlings to every village in his constituency in a bid to promote food security and increase household incomes through agriculture.
Another issue
Speaking at the thanksgiving function at Karujunga Senior Secondary School in Katuna Town Council organised by the mayor, Mr Nelson Nshangabasheija, Mr Bahati said government is sourcing $96 million (about Shs350 billion) from African Development Bank and Chinese Exim Bank to tarmac the 65km Katuna-Rubaya-Muko Road.
He promised to follow up the matter of compensation for the hundreds of people that lost their properties during the 1994 Rwandan liberation war.
Mr Nshangabasheija thanked Mr Bahati for his continued support to community projects.
“We have been able to get two town councils of Katuna and Ryakarimira in Ndorwa West constituency because of the focused leadership of Mr David Bahati and President Museveni. Piped water and electricity connection has been successful in our constituency because of the able leadership of the National Resistance Movement government. Let us continue supporting our NRM leaders for continued development,” Mr Nshangabasheija said.
Mr Bahati donated 300 iron sheets worth Shs22 million for roofing of the leaking Karujanga Roman Catholic Church in Katuna Town Council and pledged to complete the Shs400 million multipurpose building that shall house the school chapel, examination room and an assembly hall at Karujanga Senior Secondary School in Katuna Town Council.
Assistant parish priest for Rwanyena Roman Catholic Church Bonifesi Barisigara presided over the thanksgiving ceremony and hailed the MP for supporting church projects.
BACKGROUND
Challenges. Lake Bunyonyi is believed to be the second deepest lake in Africa. However, apart from depletion of the lake, locals have experienced transport challenges in the past.
Last year in June five people, including two babies, died when their boat capsized. According to the then Police spokesperson, Mr Elly Matte, the five were using a local boat to cross to Karambo Village where they often cultivate.
The BBC also reported in 2017 that many children who live near Lake Bunyonyi have to cross the water every day to get to school.
It often means they are late and when the weather is rough, it can be dangerous.
