Uganda Railways Corporation brings back the mighty MV Kaawa after major repairs breathed new life into the cargo vessel. The company spent months fixing the ship that had been sitting idle for years. Workers reinforced the steel structure and completely overhauled the engine system. They replaced the fuel injection parts and installed a brand new hydrophore tank. The rehabilitation project wrapped up recently with the vessel ready for action.
MV Kaawa carries massive loads across Lake Victoria between Port Bell and both Mwanza and Kisumu. The ship hauls 880 tonnes using special roll-on wagons and packs 1,200 tonnes directly on deck. Journeys to Mwanza take about 18 hours while Kisumu trips last roughly 16 hours. These water routes beat most road transport for speed and efficiency. John Linonn Ssengendo from URC confirms the vessel operates at full capacity again.
Water freight costs just 15 dollars per tonne according to railway officials. The service cuts transport expenses while protecting the environment from truck emissions. MV Kaawa teams up with sister ship MV Pamba to handle regional cargo flows. The restored vessel connects Uganda to Dar es Salaam port through the Mwanza route. Companies can ship everything from timber and iron sheets to medicines and electric poles.
The railway corporation launches a major expansion by seeking 100 new high-capacity wagons. Forty-two firms received bidding documents for the massive equipment purchase. Ten companies have already submitted their proposals for the wagon contract. The system currently moves exports like cosmetics and spirits alongside import goods including rice and wheat. Lake transport promises to reduce Uganda's dependence on costly road freight while boosting regional trade connections.
MV Kaawa carries massive loads across Lake Victoria between Port Bell and both Mwanza and Kisumu. The ship hauls 880 tonnes using special roll-on wagons and packs 1,200 tonnes directly on deck. Journeys to Mwanza take about 18 hours while Kisumu trips last roughly 16 hours. These water routes beat most road transport for speed and efficiency. John Linonn Ssengendo from URC confirms the vessel operates at full capacity again.
Water freight costs just 15 dollars per tonne according to railway officials. The service cuts transport expenses while protecting the environment from truck emissions. MV Kaawa teams up with sister ship MV Pamba to handle regional cargo flows. The restored vessel connects Uganda to Dar es Salaam port through the Mwanza route. Companies can ship everything from timber and iron sheets to medicines and electric poles.
The railway corporation launches a major expansion by seeking 100 new high-capacity wagons. Forty-two firms received bidding documents for the massive equipment purchase. Ten companies have already submitted their proposals for the wagon contract. The system currently moves exports like cosmetics and spirits alongside import goods including rice and wheat. Lake transport promises to reduce Uganda's dependence on costly road freight while boosting regional trade connections.
