Water Vessel

Owned by East Africa Marine Transport, the 96-metre-long vessel undertakes a minimum of two scheduled crossings per week between Port Bell, Uganda, and the port at Mwanza, Tanzania.

Transport options for business people involved in regional trade, were given a boost by the official launch of M.V. Mpungu, which can carry 21 fully laden freight vehicles across Lake Victoria. It is owned by East Africa Marine Transport (EAMT).

The $20 million project was funded by the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) through its project development specialist, InfraCo. Regional logistics company, Grindrod Limited, is managing the day-to-day operations for the lake’s first scheduled roll-on/roll-off freight vessel. ‘Mpungu’ is the Luganda word for the eagle frequently seen crossing Lake Victoria, and was suggested by local schoolchildren from Lake Side College in Port Bell.

Speaking on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni last Friday, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said, “This vessel is a milestone for East Africa, advancing our trade and environmental priorities while strengthening regional ties. My thanks to everyone who brought this project to life.”

The 96-metre-long vessel undertakes a minimum of two scheduled crossings per week between Port Bell, Uganda, and the port at Mwanza, Tanzania. EAMT plans to scale its operations further, with additional sailings and future routes, including potential for connections to Kenya. Discussions are also underway on the use of alternative fuels to further reduce emissions. According to officials at the launch, the M.V. Mpungu reduces transport times across Lake Victoria to just 18 hours, compared to the current three-to-four-day journey along congested roads.

Rodney Seema, the PIDG Regional Asset Management Lead for InfraCo and speaking on behalf of EAMT said: “This vessel represents a collaborative achievement that redefines the logistics landscape for East Africa. With the M.V. Mpungu, we’re not just offering faster, greener transport options—we’re creating opportunities for regional trade to flourish. On behalf of EAMT, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the investors, shipbuilders, partners and the local communities who have contributed to this project’s success.”

Based in London, PIDG works with public and private partners to bridge financing gaps, directing capital and expertise into projects that promote climate resilience and sustainable growth. Working throughout the project lifecycle, we reduce financial risk, transform markets and build local capacity.

The Group focuses on mobilizing private investment in infrastructure projects, particularly in developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia.

Lisa Chesney, the British High Commissioner to Uganda said, “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,” she said.

Located at Entebbe, SECO Marine (Uganda) Limited and part of the Alpha Group, used a purpose-built shipyard to complete the M.V. Mpungu project. With grant funding from the European Union Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, technical assistance was also provided by Danish company, OSK Design and M/s. S&O Maritime, India.

Mpungu, a Luganda word for the eagle seen crossing Lake Victoria, was suggested for the vessel’s name by local schoolchildren from Lake Side College in Port Bell. Registered under the Ugandan flag, the vessel features modern sleeping quarters and dining areas, ensuring drivers can rest and recharge during the crossing. Classed by Bureau Veritas, the M.V. Mpungu will operate in compliance with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards for safety of life at sea (SOLAS), security of shipping and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

EAMT trained a cohort of twenty mariners, 30% of whom are women, to work on board the M.V. Mpungu and other vessels in the region. Four individuals are continuing their training at the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute to become officers.

Lake Victoria’s first vessels that transports roll-on roll-off cargo including automobiles, trucks or commercial vehicles has been launched in Uganda.

Named M.V. Mpungu, the vessel is owned and operated by East Aria Marine Transport(EAMT), a joint venture between the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG ) InfraCo Africa and Grindrod Limited.

Roll-on roll-off is method of loading and unloading cargo onto a ship where vehicles, like cars, trucks, or trailers, are driven directly onto the vessel using a ramp, essentially “rolling on” and “rolling off” on their own wheels, rather than being lifted by a crane like in traditional cargo operations; it’s primarily used for wheeled cargo that can move under its own power.

Speaking during the launch at Port Bell in Luzira on Friday, Xolani Mbambo, the CEO of Grindrod said at the heart of the project lies the customer and the communities.

“We are committed to transforming freight transport across Lake Victoria by reducing transit times from days to hours,” Mbambo said.

He said the vessel will for now travel between Port Bell and Mwanza in Tanzania, before adding Kenya.

“We have consistently operated with excellence as MV Mpungu forms the foundation of an efficient logistics network across Lake Victoria. We are therefore excited to create enduring value for our customers in Uganda and Tanzania, facilitating the seamless movement of cargo from origin to destination.”

Gilles Vaes, the PIDG InfraCo chief investment and project development officer said such vessel will further increase the volume of goods that are transported on sea.

“The development of high quality maritime infrastructure such as this vessel and port facilities hold the key to unlocking Lake Victoria vast potential for trade. With Uganda being a land locked country, we hope this vessel is the beginning of an acceleration of trade activity on Lake Victora,” Vaes said.

Officials said the vessel will reduce travel time from Kampala to Mwanza from four days to just 18 hours and on each trip, it will carry 19 trailers.

This will reduce pressure and traffic congestion on Ugandan roads.

The State Minister for Transport, Fred Byamukama could not agree more.

“Uganda being a land linked country , we heavily rely on road transport for the transportation of our imports and exports. This comes along with a number of costs such as high road maintenance costs, environmental costs and related land tariff barrier that have led to increased cost of transportation. There’s also the issue of commemorative examination of goods, which is wasteful, tending to increase costs of doing business. And these increased costs, I must assure you have directly imparted on us,” Byamukama said.

He said with the coming of MV Mpungu on board, all these costs, on top of transport time have been dealt with.

President Museveni in a speech read by the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja hailed the owners of the vessel, noting that “ it is subversive for any leader not to support investors like the owners of MV Mpungu.”

He described the launch of the vessel as being timely in linking Uganda to other East African and African markets.

“For vehicles to drive from Mwanza they must travel on congested road for three of four days and fresh produce might get spoilt. Also, by using roads, the cost for traders and producers is prohibitively high. With the coming of MV Mpungu, all these will be done away with,” Museveni said.

He said the vessel will spur trade between Uganda and the other countries.

“This project will also have other lasting benefits for the Ugandan economy. This vessel was built at Entebbe leading to employment of over 160 Ugandans skilled in trades such as steel cutting, wielding, engineering and electrical services.”

He said the project is a great milestone for the East African region.

“This vessel is a milestone for East Africa, advancing our trade and environmental priorities while strengthening regional ties. My thanks to everyone who brought this project to life.”

New USD20M lake vessel to help ease Regional Transport bottlenecks.

Water Transport: MV Mpungu- Lake Victoria’s first roll-on roll-off cargo by sea vessel launched in Uganda

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