Works and Transport Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala, has commissioned MV Palm Ferry, adding to the 12-ferry fleet operated by Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) on water bodies in Uganda.
“Today I commissioned MV Palm, adding to the 12-ferry fleet operated by UNRA on water bodies in Motherland Uganda,” Katumba said on Saturday.
The ferry will replace MV Buvuma connecting the people in the areas of Buvuma to Kiyindi in Buikwe district.
“With a seating capacity of 519 passengers and the ability to carry 25 cars, MV Palm is the largest ferry in the fleet,” said Allan Ssempebwa, UNRA spokesperson.
“Delighted to announce the addition of MV Palm to our fleet of water vessels,” UNRA said in a short social media statement.
It added: “(This) makes it a valuable asset to our operations, connecting Buikwe and Buvuma Districts. Grateful to all partners!”
The PRO of the Ministry of Agriculture, Charlotte Kemigisha, said the MV Palm was procured by the Agriculture Ministry.
“The MV Palm was procured by the Ministry of Agriculture for the Buvuma Residents in a bid to promote their Oil Palm value chain development through increased access to markets,” she said.
The MV Palm was made possible by a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture, the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD), the National Palm Oil Project (NOPP) and the Ministry of Works and Transport.