Several travelers are stranded in Masaka and Kalangala districts following the breakdown of Bukakata ferry on Sunday. Bukakata Luku ferry connects businessmen from Kachanga Landing site in Masaka to Bugoma landing site and Mugoye Sub County in Kalangala.
It is the only means of public transport on L. Victoria. It plies the 45minutes journey four times daily before docking at Kachanga landing site at around 8pm. However, the ferry broke down yesterday.
George Ssenkayi, one of the ferry masters says that one of the engines developed a leakage. Ssenkayi explains that when they checked it, they found a huge hole leading to heavy loss of fuel. He says that as a result, they decided to ground the ferry until technicians from the Works and Trasnport Ministry repair it.
The grounding of the ferry has paralyzed business and transport in Kalangala district.
Several passengers who woke up this morning to use the ferry at Kachanga landing site were left stranded. At Bugoma landing site in Mugoye Sub County, in Kalangala about 50 passengers mostly fish traders were left stranded with their products as there is no alternative means of transport.
Maria Nakitende, a resident of Kalangala says that also stranded are some patients who have been referred to Masaka Regional Hospital. She explains that some passengers hired boats to sail through the lake but many who can’t afford speed boats are still stuck.
Ronald Ssembuusi, one of the stranded passengers says that he has decided to cancel his trip to Kampala after failing to get alternative means. Ssembuusi says with an assured free means of transport to cross L. Victoria, he did not have money to hire a boat.
He says despite the fact that he has missed his appointments he has nothing to do because he only had 12,000 for transport after crossing the lake on the ferry. Isaac Mugera, Kalangala district information officer says the breakdown of the ferry will affect fuel and food security in the district.
Mugera, who also uses this ferry, explains that Kalangala entirely depends on this ferry for fuel transport and food supply from Masaka. Mugera says that Kalangala does not grow food because of poor soils.
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It remains unclear when the ferry will resume operations. Last year, the same ferry broke down leaving people stranded for two weeks.
In February this year, Kalangala residents asked President Yoweri Museveni during his campaigns to provide them with a brand new ferry to address their transport problems.
