Water

Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport Project

Project Summary

Approval Date	24 Oct 2016
Signature Date	24 Jul 2017
Planned Completion Date	30 Apr 2022
Sovereign / Non-Sovereign	Sovereign
Sector	Communications
DAC Sector Code	22020
Environmental Category	2
Commitment	U.A 3,770,000
Status	Implementation

Project General Description

The Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communication and Transport Project is designed within the 4th EAC Development Strategy (2011-2016) and will contribute to the EAC’s Vision for the Lake Victoria basin to build “a prosperous population living in a healthy and sustainably managed environment providing equitable opportunities and benefits”. The project addresses the maritime transportation and navigation safety intervention area and will contribute to the provision of safe, efficient transport links, and to the safe conduct of fishing activities that are essential to achieving the goals of poverty reduction and sustainable development. It addresses significant safety of life and transport planning issues on Lake Victoria to encourage increased transport and trade on the Lake. The project is an intervention by EAC to reduce maritime accidents, save lives, improve security and bring efficient and affordable communications to the Lake Victoria communities. Safe maritime operations will attract investments in lake transport, tourism and water sports. The implementation of the project is expected to take four years with an estimated total cost of UA 25.95 million (USD 36,583,822).

Project Objectives

The principal objective of this project is to contribute to broad-based poverty alleviation and improvement of livelihoods of people through increased investment in maritime transport and fishing on Lake Victoria. Specifically, the project will establish a maritime communications system for safety on Lake Victoria, including the implementation of a maritime safety coordination centre and search and rescue centres on the Lake, and produce a maritime transport strategy for the EAC.

Beneficiaries

The main beneficiaries of the project are the populations of its area of influence. The target area of the project is the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) shared by Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The Lake Victoria Basin has about 35 million people, and the Lake is the source of income and livelihood for nearly 4 million people. The socio-economic welfare of this communities around Lake Victoria will be improved through the extended telecommunication coverage, as business will be carried out more efficiently with the available value added services.

Water

Kabindula Swamp Crossing

Project Details	Information
Project name and Length	Construction of Kabindula Swamp Crossing (180M )
Contractor	Ms. Shataman Contractors Uganda Ltd
Contract sum	Original Contract: UGX 1,245,084,434
Funder (s)	Government of Uganda
Districts traversed by project	Kyankwazi
Commencement date	18^th July 2018
Completion date	Initial completion: 30^th April 2019 Revised completion : 30^th August 2019
Work done to date (%) against the program	60% against 71.88% of planned
Supervision Consultant	Ministry of Works and Transport
Supervision commencement date	18^th July, 2018

Project Location

Kabindula Swamp Crossing is located along Ntwetwe – Kitwala Road across River Kitumbi on the District Road Network. The swamp crossing is approximately 180m long, with River Kitumbi marked at the centre.

During inspection, it was observed that the crossing comprised of pipe culverts at these approximate chainages: 5x1200mm diameter concrete culverts at 0+210 and 0+150; 7×1200 mm at 0+180. Most of the culverts were flowing full due to being blocked by silt and also as a result of being laid at very low inverts.

Upon drainage analysis and geotechnical studies, structures were proposed and adopted as the design intervention. It’s upon these findings that the Ministry decided to reconstruct the bridge. A contract agreement was therefore signed on 5th June, 2018 between the Ministry of Works and Transport and M/s. Shataman Contractors (U) Ltd for the construction of Kabindula Swamp crossing in Kyankwanzi District.

Progress

Actual physical works as of July 2019 was at 75% against a planned 100%. Initial project completion date was 30th April 2019, but the project was extended at no cost to 30th August 2019 due to inclement weather which halted works.

Water

Laropi & Obongi Ferry

Project details

Laropi is a marine vessel that connects Adjumani District to Moyo District. It connects the landing sites of Laropi and Umi.

The ferry starts operations at 5:30am and often ends at by 7pm. It has a vessel capacity of 120 tonnes.

It carries an average of 1,500 to 1,800 people per day at the crossing with a minimum of 12 trips and a maximum of 22 trips. It takes 30 minutes for loading and offloading while the time to cross is between 10 to 15 minutes.

The ferry has a capacity of 180 passengers and cargo of 90 tonnes as per the Certificate of Sea Worthiness.

To provide for maintenance of the ferry, usually the team reserves half a day for routine maintenance or conduct one after the end of day route operations.

Project progress

The Laropi Ferry had barely served for a year and was expected to ease the movement of people in Adjumani and Moyo areas.

Staffing and gender issues

The Laropi Ferry has twenty-six (26) staff. These include 10 UNRA staff (1 Ferry Master, 3 Operators, 2 Mechanics, 4 Ferry Attendants), 10 Uganda Police Force staff and 6 support staff. Four (4) of the support staff are females representing 15 % of the total.

Each trip consists of 3 staff that help with the navigation of the ferry and 2 staff for watch keeping.

Observations

The facilities at the landing site at Laropi included 2 waiting sheds, 1 office block and a washroom while the landing site at Umi included 2 waiting sheds and a washroom which was faulty and needed repairs however the locals at the landing site have made it impossible to repair the washrooms due to an ongoing land wrangle. UNRA mentioned that there is an ongoing engagement on the matter.

Access roads to the ferry were in a good condition and there was a clear route schedule visible at both sides of the crossing.

There was a clear demand of the services of the ferry and the Ferry master observed that there had been demands by the passengers for the increase of the ferry operational hours to 10 PM to satisfy the business hours of the local community however this poses a risk to the ferry operators as the ferry is not designed for navigation in the dark.

Safety and security measures

The ferry is insured for passengers and Cargo until 15th August 2020. The ferry has life jackets (235 for adults and 40 for children), 5 ring buoys, 4 sand buckets, a hose, and 8 fire extinguishers (6 onboard and 2 at the operational inputs stores).

There was presence of Aids to navigation in place and they included; ferry lights, an onboard Public Address System, and a reflective signage at Laropi.

There was mandatory passenger registration and screening handled by the Uganda Police, security checks for both passengers, vehicles and luggage before going to the ferry. The Passenger and Cargo manifests were maintained properly.

Water

Kangai Swamp Crossing (Dokolo District)

Project details

The site is 17km from Dokolo Local Government Headquarters and 7km from Kaberamaido town. It borders Kaberamaido and Dokolo Districts linking Kabalega market, Kangai Sub-County and Oyama Sub-County in Kaberamaido District. The Stream empties into the Lake Kyoga Basin.

The Ministry of Works and Transport is undertaking the construction of Kangai Swamp Crossing using Force Account. Works commenced in October 2018 by opening, shaping and gravelling approach roads to allow access to swamp.

The swamp is approximately 400m wide with about 19 lines of culverts which are now and inadequate to accommodate the current hydrological capacity and has led to continuous flooding.

Scope of Works

The scope of work consists of construction of a Cofferdam; Construction of river diversion and culvert installation; Earth works/fills at the abutment and wing walls; River training; Installation of roads furniture; and Quality control management.

Project progress

The approach road works to the swamp from Kangai equivalent to 1 Km were rehabilitated to facilitate easy access of materials to site. Dredging work intended to enlarge the swamp from current 3.5m carriage way to 7.5m and 10m well stabilized rock base fill was done.

Physical Progress

The activities that have been completed include the construction of approach road from Kangai town to the swamp; dredging works along the swamp crossing; Rock base stabilization; and Gravel fills to level the road sections.

On-going activities include assembling of culverts for installation; gravel dumping to increase the vertical and horizontal road sections, and Construction of cofferdam.

The overall works were estimated to cost UGX 700m. Financial progress is 55.2% against a planned progress of 60%.

Water

MV Sigulu

Project details

Sigulu Ferry is in the advanced stages of construction to serve Namayingo district by connecting the Namayingo mainland to Sigulu Island and Lolwe Island on Lake Victoria. The landing sites where the ferry will dock are being developed accordingly. This ferry will provide a safe means for the communities to travel at costs met by the Government. Overall, the project will positively impact the communities through increased volumes of trade, tourism, increased access to social services especially those, which are lacking or inadequate in the islands.

Project progress

The project cost is US 4.3 million and the contractor M/S Johs. Gram-Hanssen AlS (JGH) - Western Marine Shipyard Limited Joint Venture has implemented the project up to 98% completion. The key features of this ferry are the hull, propulsion systems, wheelhouse, sheltered passenger seating areas, crew rest room, medical room and cafeteria.

The contractor has finalized most of the painting works, installation of electrical, propulsion and navigation equipment. The Ferry was floated on water, end of June 2019 and the two-week familiarization training immediately commenced. During the training, testing and sea trials were also conducted. Ministry of works and Transport carried out a seaworthiness inspection of the ferry on 25th July 2019. The ferry capacity is 300 passengers and it is currently the biggest Ugandan passenger inland vessel.