Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has officially launched the MV Mpungu, the first-ever Uganda-Tanzania cargo ship, marking a pivotal moment in regional trade and economic cooperation.
The East African Marine Transport (EAMT) vessel, commissioned on Friday at Port Bell in Luzira, will serve as a crucial link in facilitating trade between Uganda and Tanzania, helping reduce transport costs, boost efficiency, and establish reliable trade routes across Lake Victoria.
As the first scheduled roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) freight vessel to operate on the lake, the MV Mpungu holds immense potential for regional integration, with the possibility of extending operations to Kenya in the future.
Representing President Yoweri Museveni, Prime Minister Nabbanja emphasized the vessel’s role in lowering transportation costs, which will directly benefit businesses and reduce the overall cost of doing business between the two countries.
“The MV Mpungu will reduce the journey from Kampala to Mwanza from three to four days by road to just 16 hours,” Nabbanja noted. “This is a monumental achievement for regional trade.”
Uganda, as a member of the East African Community (EAC)—a bloc of over 300 million people—stands to gain significantly from enhanced access to markets, especially given its landlocked status. Through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a combined population of approximately 1.3 billion, Uganda is positioning itself to tap into expanding regional and international markets.
In the past, Uganda’s reliance on road transport often led to delays and high costs for traders, with goods taking several days to reach their destinations. The MV Mpungu provides a faster, more sustainable alternative for shipping goods, significantly improving trade flow.
Water transport is vital for global trade, accounting for up to 90% of international cargo transport. For Uganda, a landlocked nation, road transport has been the primary but costly mode of logistics. Challenges such as high fuel prices, road maintenance costs, and environmental concerns have made transportation expensive, especially for landlocked nations.
However, the launch of MV Mpungu promises to reshape the region’s logistics landscape, alleviating many of these barriers. Fred Byamukama, Uganda’s Minister of State for Transport, highlighted the vessel’s role in promoting safe, efficient, and sustainable water transport. He noted, “MV Mpungu will transform trade between Uganda, Tanzania, and other EAC members, offering a greener and safer alternative to congested roads.”
The MV Mpungu, built in Uganda at a state-of-the-art facility by SECO Marine Uganda Limited, has a capacity to carry up to 21 fully-loaded freight vehicles—equivalent to 1,000 tonnes of freight. It will operate a minimum of two scheduled crossings per week between Port Bell in Uganda and Mwanza, Tanzania. This new service promises to alleviate congestion, reduce fuel costs, and provide a low-emission transport solution that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
EAMT, the vessel’s owner, is already planning to expand its operations with additional sailings and possible future routes, including potential connections to Kenya.
