The MV Sigulu will connect Sigulu and Lolwe islands on Lake Victoria to Lugala mainland in Namayingo District and will be transported there for formal commissioning, according to Mr Herbert Mutyaba, the head of ferry services at Unra.
“The vessel will carry up to 300 passengers, the biggest number so far on this lake, it’s going to be the first vessel to take vehicles to Lolwe Island; Lolwe Island is going to be opened up,” Mr Mutyaba said.
The Danish firm, JGH Marine, was the contractor, while Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) oversaw its works.
Features On The Ferry
A main deck, first tier deck, second tier deck and the wheel house;
The main deck will carry the largest number of passengers and cargo (including cars), the second tier deck will have an emergency health facility while the first tier deck is a limited space with seats, a restaurant and staircase down to the engine room;
The wheel house or bridge is the top most compartment in which the captain and his crew are located;
The ferry, which is made from marine grade steel, weighs 300 tonnes, is 42 metres long, 11 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep. It will carry a maximum of 300 passengers, 15 cars at a speed of up to 10 knots (12.96 kph);
Engines and Propulsion
Hydromaster Propulsion supplied the vessels three Azimuth thrusters and control system and selected Doosan diesel engines as the primary source of thruster power. 3 x Doosan MD196TI Engines (320Hp) including control panels and extended engine harness were installed. Although the ferry will be able to run on two while one is off – to offer continued service during maintenance of the other engine.
The Doosan MD196TI, is a heavy duty marine diesel propulsion engine. An inline 6 cylinder 11 litre turbocharged and intercooled marine engine. This makes it suitable for a range of vessels including Fishing trawlers, Tug boats, Pushing vessels, Cargo boats, Freighters, Ferrys etc.
The ferry took 10 months to be completed and was funded by a Ugandan government grant.
With the works on the ferry done, Mr Mutyaba said, 25 staff are set to be recruited ahead of full operations in November. He also added that the landing sites where the ferry will dock are being developed.
