Government warns MV Kalangala operators on overloading

The government has warned MV Kalangala operators against overloading the Lake Victoria passenger vessel following public outcry in the media.

In a letter dated November 18 to the managing director of Nation Oil Distributors Ltd, the Works and Transport ministry permanent secretary, Mr T.B. Kavuma, said reports from both the media and ministry teams carrying on-spot checks indicate that MV Kalangala is overloading beyond its recommended capacity.

The letter warns the operators to stick to recommended loading capacity as spelt out in the contract.
MV Kalangala is licensed to carry 100 passengers and 8 crew, 40 tonnes rolling cargo and 120 tons hold cargo, but this has not been followed, forcing an outcry from worried travelers.

This newspaper on November 15 reported worried passengers raising concerns over tendencies by the operator to overload the vessel, creating fears of a possible water transport disaster.

Sailing on the same lake in Tanzania, MV Nyerere capsised, killing more than 200 people in September this year.
But Mr Sadala Musoke, the managing director Nation Oil Distributors Ltd, refuted allegations levelled against the firm.
“Whatever has been said is not true, all those saying that are sabotaging government, the ship doesn’t overload because even the people we are carrying don’t weigh one ton. The ship also carries less cargo than what it’s supposed to carry, which is filed up by passengers,’’ Mr Sadala said.

He revealed that the problem will soon be solved as they plan to bring a new vessel, MV Nodil, in December this year.
However, travellers to and from Kalangala District who use MV Kalangala daily have asked government to prevail over the managers of Nation Oil Distributors Ltd, who run the vessel, to stop overloading.

But another traveler, who did not want to be named, warned that government must first provide another alternative before issuing guidelines not to overload.
“Most of these travelers book from MV Kalangala offices in Kampala and at times, the number exceeds 100. There are also those from Entebbe who book direct from here and also their number is more than 100 and none of these want to be left behind, how is the [Works] ministry going to handle them?’’

He expressed worry that with the crisis coming only in November, it was bound to worsen with the peak season in December.
But Gen Katumba Wamala, the Works state minister, said: “We’re working out modalities on how we operate and we shall communicate soon.”