Uganda, Tanzania sign L.Victoria agreement

AGREEMENT | LAKE VICTORIA

A memorandum of understanding on joint cooperation for improvement of ports, Lake Victoria inland waterways and railway transport services has been signed between Uganda and Tanzania.

Margret Kafeero Awino is the head of public diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She said the joint cooperation agreement was signed by Prof. Makame Mbarawa, the Tanzanian minister of works, transport and communication and Aggrey Henry Bagiire, Uganda's state minister of works and transport.

The agreement was signed on July 13 in Tanzania.

Mbarawa said the joint cooperation agreement will pave way for effective use of the Dar-es-Salaam port by Uganda as an alternative route to the sea through the Central Corridor.

"He stated that this is a clear testimony to the importance that Uganda attaches to Dar-es-Salaam Port as a link in the Central Corridor linking Tanzania and Uganda. The minister pointed out that the current link to Uganda is through Lake Victoria which is limited since only two ferries are functioning," a statement from the foreign affairs ministry said.

During the meeting in Tanzania, Ugandan and Tanzanian delegations also agreed to commit funds to procure additional ferries.

"The minister also emphasized the commitment of the Tanzanian government to developing the roads, ports and railways to facilitate transport of goods and stimulate economic activities within the two countries and the region.

"Government is therefore working with Tanzania Ports Authority to develop the Dar-es-Salam port to meet the demands of its customers," the missive said further.

On his part, Kafeero said that Bagiire underscored the fact that Uganda has set a target of attaining a middle-income status by 2020.

"Bagiire emphasized that the Government of Uganda is desirous of the use of the Central Corridor to attain a middle income status. In this regard, the Uganda Government is building a new port at Bukasa, will rehabilitate the 11km road from Portbell to Kampala as well as refurbish about 250 train wagons to service transportation of goods through the Central Corridor," the statement said.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Oscar J. Edule, Charge D'Affairs of the Uganda High Commission in Dar-es-Salaam,  Charles Kateba,  the managing director Uganda Railways Corporation, Odrek Rwabogo of the  TOMASI Group (also the Agent of Tanzania ports Authority in Uganda), among other officials.