Anxiety is growing among islanders, leaders and transport operators in Kalangala District after revelations that the government’s agreement to pay passenger fees on the MV Ssese and MV Pearl ferries plying the Bugoma-Bukakkata route will expire in two weeks.
Officials from Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS), the company managing the ferries, say prolonged delays in finalising a new long-term agreement have left the future of the vital transport service uncertain.
Speaking during a district consultative meeting on June 20, KIS spokesperson Joseph Mulindwa said the company’s original 13-year agreement with government expired in August last year and has since been extended several times on a short-term basis.
“The government’s first 13-year agreement ended last year in August and was extended for six months to allow enough time for the government to finalise a new agreement. Since then, we have continued receiving short-term extensions,” Mr Mulindwa said.
He added that the latest extension is expected to expire in two weeks.
“Negotiations for the new long-term agreement have been going on for more than three years now. We have been receiving short-term extensions ever since the expiry of the 13-year agreement,” he said.
Under the current arrangement, government pays passenger fees for travellers using the two ferries, enabling residents to cross Lake Victoria between Kalangala and Masaka districts free of charge. If the agreement lapses without renewal, passengers could be required to pay ferry charges.
Mr Mulindwa accused some government technocrats of frustrating President Museveni’s directive that ferry services in Kalangala should remain free and operate throughout the night.
While campaigning in Kalangala last December, President Museveni pledged that ferry services should be free of charge and also be available at night to ease transport challenges faced by islanders.
“It is these technocrats who are blocking what the President promised the people of Kalangala. This contract is going to expire in two weeks, which is not what it should be. We request the government and our leaders to amplify our concerns to the President so that the agreement is finalised,” Mr Mulindwa said.
He noted that uncertainty has limited the company’s ability to make major investments in transport infrastructure.
“We cannot invest heavily when we are not sure whether the agreement will be renewed. We need assurance that the agreement will be awarded before making substantial investments,” he said.
According to documents seen by Daily Monitor, a draft agreement being discussed between government and KIS proposes a six-year contract period. However, KIS officials argue that such a timeframe is insufficient to justify major investments aimed at improving water transport services in Kalangala.
He further revealed that the draft agreement proposes only two additional return trips daily, despite islanders requesting four more trips during stakeholder consultations conducted by the Ministry of Works and Transport.
“The President said he wants ferries to operate at night, and we are ready to work throughout the night until morning without stopping. We believe this would boost Kalangala’s economy and improve emergency response services,” he said.
The ferry services are regulated and licensed by the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Ministry of Finance pays for passengers to use the ferries for free.
Local leaders have appealed to government to expedite the signing of a new agreement, warning that any disruption would severely affect the district’s economy.
The Ssaza Chief of Kyaggwe, Augustine Kasirye, said the ferries serve as the district’s main transport link to the mainland.
“These ferries are our roads. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that every district is connected to neighbouring districts. We ask the government to continue paying for passengers using the ferries because Kalangala contributes significantly to the country’s economy,” Mr Kasirye said.
Kalangala Town Council chairperson Lodovic Kiberu said demand already exceeds capacity.
“With the current 16 trips per day, more than 50 vehicles are left on either side daily. We need more trips added,” he said.
“We request the government never to tamper with this route because it is the only reliable connection between Kalangala and other districts. The agreement under which the government pays passenger fees should be made long-term because failure to do so would be disastrous for the district and for leaders who promised better services to the people.”
Richard Setubba, chairperson of Mugoye Sub-county, said schoolchildren are among the beneficiaries.
“Many children use the ferries to cross to Bukakkata for school. If they are required to pay ferry fees, some may stay at home and fail to attend school. Mugoye Sub-county could also lose a major source of revenue because many cargo transporters may leave Kalangala if ferry charges are introduced,” he said.
Kalangala Deputy Resident District Commissioner Henry Sebunya said district leaders intend to raise the matter directly with President Museveni when he visits Kalangala on June 22 to campaign for the ruling National Resistance Movement candidate in the forthcoming Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
“We shall use the President’s visit to raise our concerns and emphasise the need for the government to conclude this agreement,” Mr Sebunya said.
The uncertainty comes as Kalangala residents await a final decision from government on the future of one of the district’s most important transport lifelines.