Uganda has resumed shipping of petroleum products through Port Bell in Luzira from Mwanza in Tanzania.
MV Kaawa, a marine vessel carrying 50,000 litres of fuel docked at Port Bell en route from Mwanza on Wednesday, as part of the test project for the route.
The consignment was received by the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) officials and State minister for Transport Fred Byamukama. The fuel cargo that arrived on Wednesday is the first in 17 years and according to government, efforts are in high gear to resume marine transport as well as the revival of the central corridor route.
Byamukama said Uganda has been fully dependent on the Northern corridor for its fuel supplies, with the new route providing an alternative for flammable imports from the Indian Ocean. He said the route through Mwanza is critical in reducing congestion on the roads, and reducing the wear and tear of the roads, hence saving the government billions in repair and reconstruction costs.
He said the move is part of Uganda’s vision 2040 which lays out the railway sub-sector as key in modernizing the economy through transforming the transport sector.
Byamukama added that since the route was generally opened two years ago, both business and bilateral relations between Uganda and Tanzania have improved significantly.
“So far the tanks you have seen here are for only Stabex to sample whether this route is effective. If we have all companies of fuel leaving the road, we will eliminate traffic congestion, reduce accidents and roads will not be spoilt. Our roads will be saved,” he said.
Stephen Ssekasenza, the acting Uganda Railways Corporation Managing Director, said the 22 wagons carried on the ferry are equivalent to 44 trucks on the road and much safer because the risk of accidents is significantly lower.
“Even in a time like this, where the COVID-19 infections are rampant, the new route is important because there is minimal human contact here, meaning there are fewer transmissions compared to the use of trucks,” he said.
“We have decided to engage Stabex and this is a trial cargo. The metre gauge for this route has been rehabilitated from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza. This means transit time has reduced from 4 to three days. It is an opportunity railway can utilize,” he added.