MV Kalangala Set To Resume Operations With Tight COVID 19 SOPs

MV Kalangala

MV Kalangala is now ready for operations FILE PHOTO

BY LYDIA AMUYA 
KALANGALA- After eight months of waiting with connections to the islands of Kalangala tired up and so expensive, there is light at the end of the tunnel after pronouncements that MV Kalangala is set to resume.

The Works and Transport Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala, has revealed that Kalangala’s main marine vessel, the MV Kalangala, is to resume operations before the end of this month.
The vessel that connects Kalangala to Entebbe stopped operations in January this year and was taken to Mwanza port in Tanzania, for servicing.

“I want to assure the Kalangala community, tourists and all mariners that the ferry is in good condition and will be ready to serve before the end of the month,” Katumba Wamala said.

Since then, the ferry has not been in operation. Katumba Wamala said the ferry took more time in Mwanza than had been expected because the floating dock was still being used to repair other ferries.

He said by the time of its return, the ministry, with advice from engineers, directed that the ferry stays at Nakiwogo as the docking piers are being upgraded.

“The piers had submerged due to the uncontrollable increasing water levels on Lake Victoria and the ministry directed for the upgrade for the safety of the crew and passengers,” he added.

However, the minister advised all mariners to follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the government in the fight against COVID-19.

The guidelines are half capacity carrier, wearing face masks, sanitising and maintaining social distance.

“We all know what is happening in the country, we shall have to accommodate a few passengers who meet the requirements,” Wamala said.

William Lugoloobi, the district chairperson, said the upgrade created more hope among ferry users.

 

Shift Media News

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