Ministry of Works and Transport-Uganda

Out on the waters Calm can turn to Crisis without warning - Preparation makes all the difference!

In preparation for the realities of the water, a Maritime Survival Training Center has been set up on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Here, seafarers, fishermen, and boat operators gain practical, internationally recognized safety skills that can mean the difference between life and loss when water emergencies occur.

The facility is fully equipped with:
🏊 A specialized survival pool where trainees practice real-life emergency water rescue
🧭 Advanced navigation simulators for realistic vessel training
🚑 First aid and emergency response training units
⚓ A jetty for real docking and operational exercises

📞 ☎️ Dial 110 toll-free, 24/7 for water related emergencies.

Over the past 7 years, a transformative regional project has been quietly reshaping maritime safety across the country.

From the construction of Search and Rescue (SAR) centres to the establishment of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs) an initiative which, is building a system designed to bolster water transport safety.

Today, five (5) no. SAR sites are strategically located across Ugandan waters and are fully operational, positioned to respond quickly to water emergencies.

The SARs are equipped with community jetties, water ambulances, rescue boats, life jackets, weather buoys, and firefighting vessels, alongside a dedicated training facility for water operators and the recruitment of personnel to support coordinated search and rescue operations across maritime and water utility sectors.

This aligns with a “Zero Incidents” or “Zero Harm” approach—a proactive safety culture focused on preventing injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage, championed by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

And at the heart of it all, coordination centres are ensuring that every emergency call is answered with speed and precision.

☎️📞1️⃣1️⃣0️⃣ Toll Free for 24/7 Assistance.

The Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport Project, funded by the Government of the Republic of Uganda and the African Development Bank.

The BKK ferry project is set to transform transport across Buyende, Kaberamaido & Serere!

Key Highlights:

Ferries: 2 modern vessels, 310 passengers each, with crew facilities, washrooms, cafeterias & accessibility features. MV BKK 1 ready; MV BKK 2 expected March 2026.

Landing Sites: Bukungu, Akampala & Kagwara, with jetties & passenger amenities. 2 operational; 3rd to be ready by Feb 2026.

Dredging Equipment: Operational since 2023, keeping waterways safe.

Staff: 46 trained for operations & maintenance.

Impact: Safer transport, improved trade & tourism, and better access to social services.

Today, we are commissioning the two BKK Ferries — MV BKK 1 & 2 — under the BKK Ferry Project.

We are expecting the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of Uganda, representing H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

This milestone strengthens safe water transport and enhances connectivity between Buyende (Bukungu), Kaberamaido (Akampala) & Serere (Kagwara) across Lake Kyoga.

🚧Nyahuka–Mirambi Bridge in Bindibugyo District.

A new bridge is now under construction, engineered with a 120-year lifespan and designed to withstand the natural disaster–prone conditions along the Nyahuka River.

Implemented by the local contractor Ruwangananyama Engineering Services Ltd, this project will significantly enhance daily life by providing:
Safe and reliable passage for over 1,800 school-going children
Improved access to local markets
Faster, more dependable access to health facilities on both sides of the river

Construction officially commenced on April 1, 2025, with completion expected on April 1, 2026.

The Assistant Commissioner for Drainage Structures, representing the Permanent Secretary, has officially launched construction works for the Nyahuka–Mirambi Bridge in Bundibugyo District!

Joined by the area MP, RDC, LC5, CAO, and LC3, the event marked a major turning point for a community that has endured years of difficult and dangerous access.

Every school day, over 1,800 school children brave the river to get to school. Communities rely on crossing it to reach the Health Center IV, and tragically, many lives have been lost.

This bridge is not just infrastructure — it is a lifeline.

New Bridge Site 🚧

Nyahuka–Mirambi Bridge in Nyahuka Town Council, Bwamba County, Bundibugyo District.

The scope of works includes:
🚧Temporary river diversion and construction of coffer dams
🚧Excavation and foundation works for all structures
🚧Construction of a 20-metre reinforced concrete single-span bridge
🚧Construction of the road embankment and 0.663 km of gravel approach roads
🚧River training and protection works upstream and downstream, including erosion control using reinforced concrete retaining walls and gabions

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Ministry of Works and Transport wishes to inform the public that this "Invitation for Bids" circulating on social media is FALSE and should be disregarded.

All verified and official communication from the Ministry is published exclusively through the Ministry’ official website and verified social media platforms.
We urge the public to rely only on these channels for accurate updates and announcements.

For authentic information, please visit our official Website; https://www.works.go.ug/

MILESTONE: 🛳️MV Rafiki

Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister Ministry of Works and Transport-Uganda has launched a new ferry route across Lake Victoria.

MV Rafiki with a 250 passenger capacity will connect Islanders on Bukasa Island, Kalangala District to the mainland. The vessel will connect directly from Entebbe [Nakiwogo] to Bukasa Islands.

The development is anchored on a Public–Private Partnership between the and Nation Oil Distributors Ltd (NODL) to deliver safe, affordable, and reliable water transport between Entebbe/Kampala and the Kalangala Islands.

Gen. Wamala reaffirmed Government’s commitment to leveraging water transport as a sustainable mode of connectivity.

“The plan is to expand ferry service coverage on Lake Victoria further. We’re currently working on a project to acquire two large-capacity ferries with a capacity of more than 500 pax to ease connectivity between the Islands of Koome, Damba, and Busi to the mainland.”