Today at Luzira Port Bell, in Kampala, the Uganda Premier, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja together with the Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala and the Managing Director Uganda Railways Corporation Stanley Ssendegeya have Commissioned a 12Bn worth Vessel.
The MV PAMBA VESSEL came back to life after 16years of no operation will easy the transportation of goods from across East African Community.
The repair on MV Pampa was fully completed in November last year under Mango Tree group and it costed over twelve billion Uganda shillings.
The 24 Crew member Vessel which has capacity to carry 22 wagons is now ready to serve the East African region.
The Mango Tree group is an operator of multiple vessels on lake Victoria, lake Tanganyika, River Congo , River Nile in South Sudan, . this group signed an agreement with the government of Uganda to repair and operate MV PAMBA.
For starters, MV Pamba was built in 1986 by the Belgian Ship Incorporation under the project that delivered MV Kaawa, MV Mwanga, and MV Kabalega, but in 2005, MV Pamba was grounded at Port Bell due to non conformity with class requirements and lack of insurance cover.
The Prime minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja while launching the Vessel asserted that this one is not enough and asked Transport Minister to have more these projects because they have the support of the president and the government.
“This vessel we’re commissioning and launching today is not enough, we need as many vessels as possible. You have the support of the president and the government, you just have to push in your in your budget and we approve.” The Prime Minister said while at Luzira Port Bell today.
“We lose a lot of money to repair roads then when we would be investing in these vessels, just 12 billions have repaired MV Pamba, if we can invest in more vessels, we shall have spared our roads.” Rt. Hon. PM added.
The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala confirmed that all requirements and accessories needed for the vessel to start operating were worked upon.
“We learnt some bitter lessons when MV Kabalega sank, and it so happened that when it sank, we couldn’t even do anything because the vessel was not insured. So one of the things we have insisted on is the proper repair and service of this vessel.” Said Katumba before adding….” This vessel has made international standards, has been inspected by the International Shipping Agency to make sure that it meets the standards. I have insisted on the operator that he will not move an inch of this vessel until he has insured it. I understand it’s now has insurance, it’s fully insured. Goods and vessel will be insured.”
The businessmen from Mukwano Group of Companies been among the witnesses as MV Pamba return to fresh waters of Lake. Victoria.