ENTEBBE.
MV Kalangala, the only public vessel that plies the Lutoboka-Nakiwogo route on Lake Victoria, has temporarily suspended daily operations to undergo annual servicing and maintenance-an exercise expected to last 45 days.
According to a statement issued by Mr Hakim Bwanika , the spokesperson of National Oil Distributors ,a company that manages the vessel ,suspension of daily services took effect on Wednesday , May 7, 2025),. He said the mandatory service is aimed at ensuring the life span of the vessel as well as safety for passengers.
“We acknowledge that the timing of this suspension comes at short notice and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to our passengers, clients and stakeholders,” Mr Bwanika said in the statement.
He said during MV Kalangala’s absence , MV RAFIK also known as MV NODL EXPRESS-both managed by the same company , will be plying the route, transporting passengers and some light cargo; however, vehicles are excluded from this vessel.
MV RAFIK will be departing from Kalangala Lutoboka at 8:00 am to Nakiwogo and departing from Nakiwogo at 2:00 pm on a one-round return journey, as MV Kalangala has been doing .
Passengers will pay sh10,000 for ordinary tickets while those sitting in VIP will pay sh15,000 .
“We have maintained the usual fares for the convenience of our clients,” he said , advising passengers with vehicles to use the Masaka route and connect to Kalangala using the two ferries (MV PEARL and MV SSESE) at Bukakkata landing site .
MV Kalangala was built in 2005, in fulfillment of President Museveni’s 2001 campaign pledge to the islanders. Kalangala District, a necklace of 64 habitable islands interspersed with lush vegetation, is a top tourist destination for sport fishing, bird watching, exotic beaches and stunning sunset views, among others.