New Sigulu ferry takes shape
Resolute. Workers put final touches to MV Sigulu at Masese, Walukuba-Masese Division in Jinja Municipality on Tuesday. PHOTO BY PHILIP WAFULA
What you need to know:
Justification. The ferry is expected to solve the transport challenge in the hard-to-reach areas in Namayingo District.
The construction of Sigulu Ferry at Masese Landing Site, Walukuba-Masese Division in Jinja Municipality, is in advanced stages.
The long awaited ferry, a government undertaking, is meant to serve residents of Lolwe and Sigulu sub-counties in Namayingo District.
Mr Moreno Nacinovic, the project manager of JGH Marine A/S, a Danish firm contracted to build the ferry, on Tuesday said about 70 per cent of construction works are complete.
“Construction, which started in September, is expected to go on throughout December, while fittings will resume in 2019. We hope to achieve something by March 2019,” he said.
A 20-man delegation from Namayingo District, while on a site tour of the ferry, said they have endured poor or lack of service delivery.
Mr James Ouma Wandera, the district secretary for health and education, said expectant mothers have been making a 20km boat expedition to Kenya to give birth and immunise their children.
Frustrations
“They sail to Kenya and back at Shs30,000 and after giving birth, make another trip to immunise the child,” he said.
According to Mr Wandera, Ugandan mothers, who do not have Kenyan national identity cards, have to part with KShs500 (Shs15,000) to have their children immunised despite the service being free in Uganda.
“Those who cannot afford the fees are denied immunisation which directly impacts on the child and psychologically on its mother,” he said.
Sigulu is the only sub-county in Namayingo with a health centre III while Lolwe and Bukana sub-counties have health centre IIs that are not well equipped for delivery services, according to the district officials.
The abrasive Sigulu terrain, Mr Wandera said, has posed a challenge to the education sector, making it difficult to transfer a teacher there from other areas. Ms Doreen Ajambo, 26, the Bumalenge Councillor, while cuddling her baby, said labour beckoned during the night and she had to sail to Kenya to deliver, describing it as “one of the worst journeys in my life”.
Mr David Bwire, the Namayingo councillor for people with disabilities, said being lifted into a canoe with a wheelchair is his most enduring challenge. “But we are grateful for this ferry because we shall be able to ride to the deck and even take up good seats on the ferry when it is complete,” he said.
