Although the vessel is expected to leave Nakiwogo docking pier at 2 pm on a journey to Kalangala, it often starts the Journey at 3:00 p.m., an hour later than scheduled. MV Kalangala takes three and a half hours to move from Entebbe to Kalangala.
Travellers asked the Ministry of Works and Transport to improve services on MV Kalangala. The Marine vessel ply's the Nakiwogo - Lutoboka route from Entebbe to Kalangala District transporting traders, tourists and cargo to and from the Ssese Islands.
But its services have worsened in the recent past, according to Richard Mugabe, one of the tour operators who use the vessel to take tourists to the islands. Mugabe cites poor time management, dirtiness, dishonesty and frequent breakdown as some of the problems affecting the operations of the vessel.
Although the vessel is expected to leave Nakiwogo docking pier at 2 pm on a journey to Kalangala, it often starts the Journey at 3:00 p.m., an hour later than scheduled. MV Kalangala takes three and a half hours to move from Entebbe to Kalangala.
//Cue in: "Kaakati omusajja nga …
Cue out: … tusobole okuzikwasaganya obulungi."//
Other travellers also wondered why the lavatory services remain smelling during transit yet none of the people on the vessel can question the poor services
//Cue in: "toilet beetaaga okuzilongoosaako …
Cue out: … n'otuula n'evaawo late."//
Rose Taaka, another traveller says the personnel on the vessel are never cautious of the security of travellers and their property. She says most cargo is never checked yet the country has for the past five years been experiencing terror threats.
//Cue in: "Naye waliwo abajja …
Cue out: … n'ebanga terina mulamwa."//
Most government officials including the Resident District Commissioner Caleb Tukaikiriza and Chairperson Willy Lugoloobi recognize the need to improve services on the vessel so as to attract tourists.
//Cue in: "there was a problem …
Cue out: … maintaining the vessel."//
Management of the government-owned vessel was entrusted given to the Ministry of works and a private entity, Nation Oil Distributors. Travellers pay 14,000 shillings to travel to the Islands.
Sadala Musoke, the General Manager of Nation Oil Distributors, says that the servicing was incomplete prior to its return. Musoke explains that the unfinished servicing obligations would be done when the Ship is on duty adding that the team is committed to improving its services.
The alternative routes to Kalangala are in the southern route. Vessels MV Pearl and MV Ssese ply the Bugoma - Bukakata route in Masaka. The vessels are operated by Kalangala Infrastructure Services.
