Transport ministry registers vessels on navigable waters

The Ministry of Works and Transport has embarked on the massive registration and licensing of vessels on navigable water bodies.

The exercise is intended to ascertain the seaworthiness of the vessels, area of operation, and ownership.

Henry Ategeka, a principal inspector of vessels at the maritime administration department of the transport ministry, said ownership of vessels and area of operation is vital.

He said the ministry is finalising the memorandum of understanding with the Uganda Police on how they will enforce and crackdown non-compliant operators.

"Under the same MoU, we want the Police in respective areas of operation to avail us with custody for impounded vessels," Ategeka said.

He said vessels currently being registered and licensed are to be connected to a search and rescue arrangement project which is underway.

The vessel licensing exercise comes at the time when the Inland Water Transport Bill, 2020 has been tabled before the Infrastructure Committee of Parliament.

The Bill is intended to revisit the outdated inland water transport laws, some of which were enacted over five decades ago, with light penalties to apprehend offenders. All boat builders, landing site handlers and other stakeholders in water transport are all catered for in the new Bill.

Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, said the Government is putting more emphasis on promoting water transport both for cargo to and from neighbouring countries, and connectivity of islands to mainland.

He said compliance was vital to existing inland water transport regulations such as wearing lifejackets and ensuring that all vessels were in good condition and fully licensed to operate.

Eng. Charles Kateeba, the managing indirect of Uganda Railways Corporation, said business for wagon vessels at Port Bell pier was normalizing, with the goods being transported to and from  Mwaza in Tanzania and Kisimu in Kenya in large quantities.