MV Kalangala ferry suspends operations for maintenance

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MV Kalangala, a vessel that plies the Lutoboka-Nakiwogo route on Lake Victoria, has temporarily suspended daily operations for annual servicing and maintenance, which will take 45 days. 

According to the letter from the Ministry of Works and Transport dated today (May 7, 2025), this mandatory service is aimed at ensuring the life span of the vessel as well as safety for passengers. 

"We acknowledge that the timing of this suspension comes at short notice and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to our passengers, clients and stakeholders," states the letter.

It further stipulates that MV Rafiki (MV NODL EXPRESS) will be plying the route, transporting passengers and their cargo; however, vehicles are excluded from this vessel. 

"We advise our passengers with vehicles to use the Masaka route, which accommodates vessels via MV SSESE and MV PEARL connecting to islands," says Hakim Bwanika, PRO NODL Group of Companies. 

MV Rafiki will be departing from Kalangala Lutoboka at 8:00 am to Nakiwogo and departing from Nakiwogo at 2:00 pm on a one-round return journey, as MV Kalangala has been operating. 

Passengers will pay sh10,000 for ordinary tickets while sh15,000 will be paid for VIP tickets. 

Julius Mukasa Opondo, the Bujumba constituency legislator, urged the Government to purchase a second big vessel which will work hand in hand with MV Kalangala so that when one undergoes a mandatory service, islanders can opt for the second one. 

"Passengers and tourists have increased, and a second vessel is needed," he says.