The East Africa Marine Transport has launched the M.V. Mpungu, the first scheduled roll-on/roll-off freight vessel to operate on Lake Victoria.
The vessel, which was commissioned on January 31, 2025, promises to revolutionize regional logistics by offering faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly transport solutions.
The M.V. Mpungu, built in Uganda at a purpose-built facility, has the capacity to carry up to 21 fully laden freight vehicles, equivalent to 1,000 tonnes of freight, per crossing.
This reduces transport times across Lake Victoria to just 18 hours, compared to the current three-to-four-day journey by congested roads.
Speaking at the commissioning event, the Right Honourable Robinah Nabbanja, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, emphasized the vessel’s potential to drive economic and environmental progress.
“This vessel is a milestone for East Africa, advancing our trade and environmental priorities while strengthening regional ties,” she said.
The circa USD 20 million project was made possible through funding from the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and experienced regional logistics company, Grindrod Limited.
The project has created over 140 jobs and prioritized skilling Ugandan labor, ensuring that local talent plays a pivotal role in this achievement.
The M.V. Mpungu undertakes a minimum of two scheduled crossings per week between Port Bell, Uganda, and the port at Mwanza, Tanzania. East Africa Marine Transport plans to scale its operations further, with additional sailings and future routes, including potential connections to Kenya.
H.E. Lisa Chesney MBE, The British High Commissioner to Uganda “The launch of MV Mpungu marks a transformative moment for Uganda’s maritime industry and regional trade within the East African Community. This vessel is more than just an infrastructure project—it’s a game-changer for businesses, offering a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective transport solution that will drive economic growth and integration across borders. I’m especially proud of the UK government’s role in funding this strategic initiative through InfraCo and the PIDG group of companies, alongside the Netherlands and Switzerland. Over the 21 months of close collaboration, InfraCo and its partners have prioritized skilling Ugandan labour, ensuring that local talent plays a pivotal role in this achievement. With over 140 jobs created, this project is not only building a vessel but also empowering Uganda’s workforce and strengthening its maritime future.”
The launch of the M.V. Mpungu marks a transformative moment for Uganda’s maritime industry and regional trade within the East African Community.
