Kalangala Christmas bookings in tatters over ferry breakdown

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KALANGALA – Several local and foreign tourists have been forced to cancel their festive season hotel and lodge bookings and journeys to Kalangala Islands following the breakdown of MV Kalangala. The ferry is one of the vessels plying the Entebbe-Kalangala route.

The passenger cargo vessel, early December 2025, spent several minutes on the water after it developed a mechanical problem on one of its engines on its way to Nakiwogo in Entebbe, Wakiso district.

Currently, its operations have been suspended as they wait for the ferry to undergo an engine overhaul, leaving tourists to utilise MV Rafik (MV NODL), a passenger and light cargo vessel, as an alternative, as well as using the Masaka route.

This vessel had earlier dropped the Nakiwogo – Lutoboka route to open up a new one of Nakiwogo – Kyamuswa.

Hotels count losses

Hotel and beach managers say the vessel breakdown has left many tourists cancelling their bookings.

Victoria Forest Resort manager Tyson Kangwaje told New Vision Online that over the past weekend, he had 90 bookings; however, after discovering that the vessel is unavailable, only 25 managed the Masaka route.

“We had to refund those who did not make it, yet we had already used the funds. Its [ferry's] absence affects the transportation of our cargo, vehicles, yet tourists want to travel with them for easy transport while on the island,” he says.

He added that during this period, the funds got from the tourists who storm the island always keep their business running, even when they rarely get clients throughout the year.

Brovad Sands Lodge manager Eric Bukulu told New Vision Online that though they have their own modern boat, the absence of MV Kalangala leaves many of their clients stranded since its capacity is 60, yet they can have bookings of up to 90 tourists in a single day.

“Our boat can’t handle two return voyages in a single day, yet the big vessel could. We have had bookings cancelled since last week, and this affects our income flow,” he adds.

Bodaboda riders affected

Wilson Sseguya, a bodaboda rider who depends on this vessel for his livelihood, told New Vision Online that he has been earning at least shillings 40,000. Now, the day can end with him making only sh10,000.

“We would get some cargo or merchandise and passengers, but since the suspension of operations, clients decreased as well as cargo,” says Sseguya.

MV Kalangala was taken to Mwanza in Tanzania last year for an annual maintenance; however, Hajji Sadala Musoke, the proprietor and head of the Nation Oil Distributors Limited (NODL) that manages the vessel, explains how engine overhaul wasn't part of the maintenance.

"Overhauling the engines is always done every five years. The major maintenance that was done in Mwanza the engines were not part of it," he stated.

"We were preparing to do it in April next year based on the manufacturer's guidance, but after its breakdown, we decided to do it now for safety reasons," he added.

Hajji Sadala Musoke says the vessel is to stay docked at Port Alice in Entebbe Nakiwoggo, where its engines will be overhauled, advising passengers to use MV NODL Express.

Sadala says those with cars should utilise the Masaka route to Kalangala as they wait for the return of MV Kalangala.

Cornely Mujwahuzi, the MV Kalangala captain, said they expect the vessel to resume operations in mid-January next year since some spare parts have not yet been imported into the country.

The vessel during this festive season used to change course from a one-round return voyage to three due to increased tourists; however, MV NODL’s capacity leaves such preparations in suspense.