President calls for ferry transfer across River Nile

President Museveni talking to Kayunga district MP Nantaba at a rally at Nekoyedde, He donated a maize mill to each parish in Kasaana Sub County

President Yoweri Museveni has recommended to the Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) to transfer the recently procured ferry meant to link Kayunga district and Kamuli district across River Nile through Nabuganyi landing site. He said the ferry should be relocated to a new landing site at Kasana in Busaana Sub-County in Kayunga district.

The President made the recommendation this afternoon during a visit to Nabuganyi Landing Site in Kayunga district where he was briefed by technical teams from the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Police Marine Department on the state of the water route at Nabuganyi Landing Site.

Police divers standing besides the President after surveying the route at Nabuganyi landing site on Kayunga side of the Nile on 16/5/2012. PPU photo

The experts say the water route linking Kayunga and Kamuli districts through Nabuganyi Landing Site was shallow and has several under-water rocks that make that route unsafe to navigate by the ferry of that size and capacity. They noted the ferry of that size can safely navigate at depths of not less than 3 metres whereas the rocks at some points on the route of the ferry are as close as one and a half metres.

The UNRA team explained that because of the existing rocks on the route, the ferry had damaged 3 of its propellers during its navigation trials compelling the Ministry of Works and Transport to suspend its operations.

Damaged ferry propellers which got damaged during trial crossings.

The President, therefore, recommended the shifting of the ferry services to Kasana Landing Site which the Ministry of Works and Transport said had a good safe route for the ferry. He asked the Police Marine Department to avail photographic evidence to the people of Nabusanyi to remove any doubts that the route could not be used by the ferry. He, however, promised that after a thorough study, the Government will, in the future, consider procuring a lighter ferry that could navigate through the shallow waters of Nabuganyi Landing Site so that they can also access the services.

Police divers standing besides the President after surveying the route at Nabuganyi landing site on Kayunga side of the Nile on 16/5/2012. PPU photo

Earlier, at a rally that he addressed at Nabusanyi Church of Uganda Primary School, the President assured the people of Kayunga district that though Government had encountered procurement challenges in buying LC1 Chairpersons’ bicycles, the process will be nevertheless be fulfilled so that the beneficiaries will eventually receive their bicycles. He said that those who mishandled the earlier process of procurement will be dealt with in accordance with the law.  He further promised that a new road unit system will be availed to Kayunga district in the new financial year to enable the district work on its feeder roads.

Regarding agriculture, Mr. Museveni said that government was in the process of building a fertilizer factory in Tororo district to enhance agricultural production. He also pledged to avail more tractors to the district in the new financial year. He announced that milling machines will be availed to a number of women groups in the district but urged the people to carry out their part and engage in modern agricultural production to get out of household poverty.

State Minister for Transport, Mr. Steven Chebrot, told the President that his Ministry delivered its promise and procured the ferry to link the districts of Kayunga and Kamuli. He noted that it was now the duty of the local population and their leaders to agree on where the ferry should operate.

The area MP, Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, reported that Kayunga district had suffered an economic set-back due to the drop in yields of coffee and bananas, which were the main food and cash crops to the area. He reported that this trend has subjected the population in the district to abject poverty. He appealed to the Government to support the emerging agricultural economic ventures, such as fruit, dairy and fish farming activities and providing improved and disease resistant coffee seedlings.

The President was accompanied by State Minister for Youth, Hon. Ronald Kibuule and Kayunga Women MP, Hon. Idah Nantaba.

ENDS