The government of Uganda, through its Ministry of Works and Transport, has commended the ongoing construction of a Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (RMRCC) in Mwanza, Tanzania, describing it as a critical milestone for inland water safety and regional cooperation on Lake Victoria.
The state-of-the-art facility, part of the broader Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communication and Transport (MLVMCT) Project, is being constructed under the supervision of the Tanzanian government, with technical oversight from the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Department of Public Structures.
According to project timelines, the Mwanza-based rescue center is expected to be completed in 35 days.
“This project represents a transformative step in improving maritime safety across the Lake Victoria Basin,” said the Ministry of Works and Transport in a statement issued Monday.
The Mwanza facility, together with the Entebbe Maritime Rescue Coordination Center currently under construction in Uganda, will enable coordinated, timely, and effective responses to maritime emergencies.
Once completed, the two centers will jointly support Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, boost real-time communication and navigational safety, and reinforce cross-border collaboration between the Lake Victoria riparian states Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
“These centers will significantly reduce response times, save lives, and enhance regional resilience to maritime hazards,” the Ministry added.
The MLVMCT Project is being implemented under the Lake Victoria Transport Program with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), and is part of a broader effort to modernize inland water transport, protect human life, and promote sustainable economic activity around the lake.
The Lake Victoria Basin, while rich in economic and transport potential, has long been plagued by frequent and deadly marine accidents, often due to poor communication, delayed rescue, and unsafe vessels. Authorities say the new rescue coordination centers will mark a new era in maritime governance and emergency response in East Africa.
