It was excitement on Friday afternoon at Port Bell in Luzira as MV Mpungu, Lake Victoria’s first roll-on roll-off cargo vessel set sail.
Roll On-Roll Off refers to the loading (roll on) and unloading (roll off) of these vehicles using ramps that can be stacked on the cargo ships or else permanently installed at the port itself.
In simple terms, the roll-on roll-off cargo concept doesn’t need a crane to lift and place cargo in the interior of the vessel but vehicles enter the vessel by themselves.
On Friday, MV Mpungu operated and owned by East Aria Marine Transport(EAMT), a joint venture between the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG ) InfraCo Africa and Grindrod Limited.
According to officials, the 96-metre-long MV Mpungu has the capacity to handle up to 1,000 tonnes of containerised cargo, the equivalent of 21 trailers.
The State Minister for Transport, Fred Byamukama described the vessel as a gamechanger in terms of water transport.
“Being a land linked country, Uganda relies heavily on road for the transportation of our imports and exports. This road transport comes along with the number of costs such as high road maintenance costs, environmental costs and related land tariff barrier that cause increased cost of transportation. There’s also the issue of commemorative examination of goods, which is wasteful, tending to increase costs of doing business,” Byamukama said.
He noted that by using water transport, all these will be avoided.
President Museveni, who was represented by Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja emphasised the vessel’s potential to drive economic and environmental progress.
“This vessel is a milestone for East Africa, advancing our trade and environmental priorities while strengthening regional ties. My thanks to everyone who brought this project to life.”
According to officials, MV MPUNGU reduces transport times across Lake Victoria to just 18 hours, compared to the current three-to-four-day journey by congested roads.
With the capacity to carry up to 21 fully laden freight vehicles – the equivalent of up to 1 000 tonnes of freight – per crossing, it provides a cost-effective, efficient, and low-emission alternative for regional logistics.
By alleviating road congestion, it also reduces fuel costs and mitigates risks such as theft and driver fatigue.
The circa USD 20 million project was made possible through funding from the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) through its project development specialist, InfraCo, and experienced regional logistics company, Grindrod Limited.
PIDG has committed over USD 41 billion to develop and deliver infrastructure projects since its inception.
Speaking on behalf of EAMT, , said:
“This vessel represents a collaborative achievement that redefines the logistics landscape for East Africa. With MV MPUNGU, we’re not just offering faster, greener transport options, we’re creating opportunities for regional trade to flourish,” said Rodney Seema, PIDG Regional Asset Management Lead for InfraCo
The 96-metre-long vessel undertakes a minimum of two scheduled crossings per week between Port Bell, Uganda, and the port at Mwanza, Tanzania.
EAMT plans to scale its operations further, with additional sailings and future routes, including potential for connections to Kenya. Discussions are also underway on the use of alternative fuels to further reduce emissions.
Mpungu, a Lugandan word for the eagle seen crossing Lake Victoria, was suggested for the vessel’s name by local schoolchildren from Lake Side College in Port Bell.
Registered under the Ugandan flag, the vessel features modern sleeping quarters and dining areas, ensuring drivers can rest and recharge during the crossing.
Classed by Bureau Veritas, MV MPUNGU will operate in compliance with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards for Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS), security of shipping and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
EAMT trained a cohort of thirty mariners, 30% of whom are women, to work on board MV MPUNGU and other vessels in the region. Four individuals are continuing their training at the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute to become officers.
