Gen Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transportation, has officially opened the MV Palm Ferry, bringing the total number of Uganda’s 12-ferry fleet to thirteen.
On Saturday May 27, 2023, Gen Katumba announced, “Today I commissioned MV Palm, adding to the 12-ferry fleet operated by UNRA on water bodies in Motherland Uganda.”
The ferry will take the place of the MV Buvuma in carrying passengers from Buvuma to Kiyindi in Buikwe district.
“With a seating capacity of 519 passengers and the ability to carry 25 cars, MV Palm is the largest ferry in the fleet,” said Allan Ssempebwa, UNRA spokesperson.
“Delighted to announce the addition of MV Palm to our fleet of water vessels,” UNRA said on Twitter.
The MV Palm was purchased by the Agriculture Ministry, according to Charlotte Kemigisha, the PRO of the Ministry of Agriculture.
“The MV Palm was procured by the Ministry of Agriculture for the Buvuma Residents in a bid to promote their Oil Palm value chain development through increased access to markets,” she stated.
A collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Palm Oil Project (NOPP), the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD), and the Ministry of Works and Transport allowed for the construction of the MV Palm.
