Residents of Namayingo broke into celebration after the MV Sigulu made its maiden expedition to the isolated island district a year after undergoing trials on Lake Victoria.
The vessel had since December 2018 docked at Walukuba-Masese Division in Jinja City, prompting questions.
Mr Peter Okumu Wanda, the Namayingo District speaker, for instance, demanded in February that the vessel needs to dock at the Island to give residents assurance that it exists and that it is theirs.
MV Sigulu, a government undertaking, was constructed by JGH Marine, a Danish firm, at a cost of Shs16b to connect Sigulu and Lolwe Islands to Lugala mainland in Namayingo District.
Okumu said the ferry was, upon completion, supposed to be taken to Sigulu Island as ‘an Easter gift’ from the government. “Though this time, most of the district leadership was aware of the coming of the vessel, residents weren’t. This is a very big achievement for the island. We are glad that the government has kept its promise and I am optimistic that the vessel is going to help many people,” he said.
Okumu was, however quick to add that despite the vessel docking, Bumalenge and Watega landing sites in Sigulu and Bukana sub-counties respectively are not yet ready, although plans are underway to commence the construction of Kandege Landing Site in Lolwe Sub-county.
