The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hopes of establishing ferry services at Lake Bunyonyi have gained impetus after the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) started conducting feasibility studies on the routes and docking sites.
The possibility of ferry services on the Africa’s second deepest lake is a result of a presidential commitment made in 2015 to ease transport across the water body which had become a death trap for travelers whose only means of transport is by boat to the districts of Kabale and Rubanda in South Western Uganda.
UNRA officials led by the Director Roads Infrastructure Protection Department Lauben Tumwesigye Byaruhanga and Transport Economist Davis Muhangi have been circumnavigating the lake over the last two days as part of the feasibility studies. They have so far identified Muranda, Habuhutu, Ahisesero in Rubanda district and Kyevu, Kakoko and Muko in Kabale district as docking sites.
Byaruhanga says that the government plans to construct two ferries and two high-speed boats at the lake. According to Byaruhanga, the first phase of construction will kick off in August this year and completed in December 2021.
Transport Economist Davis Muhangi says that UNRA will also compensate locals who own land near the lake in areas which are being targeted to be turned into docking sites. He adds that UNRA will work on the roads within the vicinity of the lake to ease movement to the docking sites.
Milton Mateke, the Nyamiryango parish chairman in Butanda sub-county, Simpson Munyambabazi and Abraham Owamani, both residents of Bufundi sub-county in Rubanda district expressed gratitude and optimism about the update saying that it is their wish that transport problem along the lake becomes history.
They decry unceasing accidents which have led to the loss of lives over the years and the agony of transporting patients and expectant mothers to hospitals in Kabale town.
Rubanda District chairman Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema and Rubanda West Member of Parliament Engineer Denis Sabitti Bamwoya say that the introduction of ferry services will boost the economy where farmers will easily transport their produce to markets without any hindrance.
In June 2018, five people drowned in Karambo cell, Muko sub county Rubanda district while crossing the lake using a canoe. In 2016, five members of the same family drowned in Lake Bunyonyi while travelling in a canoe from a party in Mushebeya, Kamugangunzi sub county to their home in Kabirago Ndarura Village, Rubaya sub county, Kabale district.
Earlier in 2015, Davis Rukundo, a resident of Kyabahinda village, drowned in the same Lake while canoeing.
******
URN
