Islanders pay more as MV Kalangala remains grounded

Travellers to the Island district of Kalangala have complained of high transport fares in transportation as MV Kalangala, the only public vessel plying the Entebbe -Kalangala route, remains grounded at Nakiwogo Pier.
 This comes a month after  operations of  the vessel were suspended to enable  routine maintenance.

Although there are other private vessels plying the same route such as  MV Vanessa and MV SENCATA, many Islanders say they cannot afford the fares.
  According to the islanders, the private vessels charge between Shs20 000 and Shs35,000 per trip, which is almost thrice the fare travellers in the lower class of MV Kalangala pay. 
Passengers in MV Kalangala VIP section  pay Shs20,000, first class Shs15,000 and ordinary class pay Shs10,000.

Prior to suspension of MV Kalangala operations on February 25, Nation Oil Distributors Limited (NODL) ,the firm that manages vessel, had announced that it would undergo annual mandatory service at Port Bell, Luzira dry  docking site, an exercise that lasts  approximately a month.
According to NODL, the mandatory service was to happen after minor repairs on the vessel which were to last a week at Nakiwogo Pier.
However ,  the NODL executive director,  Mr Sadala Musoke, on Wednesday said the planned repairs have taken longer than anticipated, thus delaying the vessel’s annual mandatory servicing at Port Bell, Luzira.

 “Yes, it is true, the vessel has delayed at   Nakiwogo but it doesn’t mean we aren’t working. All that is part of servicing, therefore people shouldn’t worry because whatever is being done like fixing the gear boxes and painting  can’t be done when the vessel is  on the dry dock,” he said
All vessels are supposed to be examined in the dry dock at intervals not exceeding two and a half years. MV Kalangala was last serviced in March 2021.
Mr Musoke revealed that 70 percent of the repair works are being done at Nakiwogo pier and only 30 percent will be completed at Port Bell.

“It [vessel ] will only spend a week at Port Bell and by Easter season it will be ready. Even the alternative new vessel, MV NODL  will also  be operating by  that time,’’ he added
The Works and Transport minister, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala,   said servicing of MV Kalangala is for the good of travellers.
He urged marine engineers to expedite the work.
“We know islanders want their vessel back, but let them wait until the planned engine overhaul is completed, it won’t take long,” he said.

Mr Sulaiman Katende, a regular traveller to Kalangala  wondered why government doesn’t allow  MV NODL to operate.
“We are currently paying higher fares to connect to Kalangala, may be the fares   could have been  lower if the promised alternative vessel was operating,” he said
MV NODL carries more passengers; however, it doesn’t carry heavy cargo including vehicles.
Motorists have to travel by road to Masaka, which is about 170km,  to connect to Kalangala using either MV Pearl or MV Ssese, which dock at Bukakkata landing site or alternatively use MV Vanessa at Nakiwogo.

About MV Kalangala
MV Kalangala was built in 2005, in fulfillment of President Museveni’s 2001 campaign pledge to the islanders.
It is the only reliable public means of transport for    tourists and islanders going to Kalangala Islands. It carries at least 200 passengers and 12 vehicles which other private vessels cannot do.