Uganda’s fuel transportation will be made easier through the construction of two barges (a type of marine vessel that’s mainly used for cargo transportation) on Lake Victoria, with a single barge carrying approximately 3 million litres per day, as opposed to 200 fuel trucks transporting the same litres per day.
Mahathi Ifra (U) LTD, a company owned by a consortium comprising of Fortune Energy of Uganda, owned by Mike Mukula, among other two companies, secured a Shs 353 billion loan from the African Finance Corporation (AFC), which will be used to construct two barges that will deliver fuel from Kisumu across Lake Victoria.
According to Samaila Zubairu, AFC President, a portion of the funds will be allocated for the creation of two barges, which will be responsible for the transportation of fuel.
“The funding will also assist in the development of necessary infrastructure, such as 14 petrol storage tanks, 20 truck loading docks, a jetty, and a parking area capable of accommodating 50 trucks,” said Zubairu.
Zubairu noted that the investment will not only revolutionise fuel transportation in the country but also reduce road congestion by reducing reliance on conventional petroleum transportation.
The two barges will join the MT Kabaka Mutebi II that has been transporting fuel from Kisumu to the Bukasa-Bwerenga terminal since December 2022.
According to research, Ugandans consume over 6 million litres of fuel per day, and there are times when the resource is scarce, with some fuel pumps charging more than others in certain sections of the country; however, with the construction of the barges, this issue will be mitigated.