Regulate water transport
Feb 16, 2008
THIS week 26 people drowned in Mayuge district after a passenger canoe collided with a fish vessel on Lake Victoria. This, unfortunately, happens on Uganda’s waters several times a year.
THIS week 26 people drowned in Mayuge district after a passenger canoe collided with a fish vessel on Lake Victoria. This, unfortunately, happens on Uganda’s waters several times a year.
Motorised canoes, the main means of transport on Uganda’s lakes, are often overloaded and in poor condition. Some are even leaking and the operators have to keep scooping out water. This is a symptom of unregulated water transport, characterised by traditional navigation techniques and lack of passenger safety procedures.
To reduce these avoidable deaths, the transport ministry, Police and Beach Management Units (BMU) should strictly enforce regulations on water transport. Most of the deaths have been due to overloading, poor mechanical condition or sailing at night. There is no reason any vessel boat or canoe should be allowed to move with passengers who are not wearing life jackets or other safety equipment.
To make the life jackets more affordable, Government should consider waiving taxes or subsidising them. The Police, BMU and local council (LC) leaders should control the boat operators effectively.
The vessels should be inspected at the point of departure to ensure they are not overloaded and that they are in sound mechanical condition. The Police marine unit should be provided with more boats to ensure they patrol the lakes, nab offenders and carry out rescue missions effectively.
Vessels that do not have lights should not be allowed to move at night. Since the Police cannot be everywhere on the lake, passengers should take it upon themselves to regulate the operators and ensure they do not overload.
Motorised canoes, the main means of transport on Uganda’s lakes, are often overloaded and in poor condition. Some are even leaking and the operators have to keep scooping out water. This is a symptom of unregulated water transport, characterised by traditional navigation techniques and lack of passenger safety procedures.
To reduce these avoidable deaths, the transport ministry, Police and Beach Management Units (BMU) should strictly enforce regulations on water transport. Most of the deaths have been due to overloading, poor mechanical condition or sailing at night. There is no reason any vessel boat or canoe should be allowed to move with passengers who are not wearing life jackets or other safety equipment.
To make the life jackets more affordable, Government should consider waiving taxes or subsidising them. The Police, BMU and local council (LC) leaders should control the boat operators effectively.
The vessels should be inspected at the point of departure to ensure they are not overloaded and that they are in sound mechanical condition. The Police marine unit should be provided with more boats to ensure they patrol the lakes, nab offenders and carry out rescue missions effectively.
Vessels that do not have lights should not be allowed to move at night. Since the Police cannot be everywhere on the lake, passengers should take it upon themselves to regulate the operators and ensure they do not overload.