Uganda boosts water safety with new rescue centers

On any given day, Uganda’s vast lakes bustle with activity — fishermen hauling in their catch, traders ferrying goods, and passengers crisscrossing the waters.

Yet, beneath the surface of this vital transport network lies a deadly risk: the lack of robust safety systems. In recent years, tragic accidents on lakes like Victoria, Kyoga, and Albert have highlighted the urgent need for improved water safety measures.

Now, the government is taking a major step toward ensuring that Uganda’s lakes become not only a source of livelihood but also a safe passage for all who depend on them. In a ground-breaking move, the Ministry of Transport has confirmed the establishment of nine Search and Rescue (SAR) centers on these critical water bodies, aimed at providing real-time assistance to anyone in distress.

“This initiative is a game-changer,” says Dr. Peter Waiswa, a maritime safety expert with the Ministry of Works and Transport. “For years, we’ve seen preventable accidents claim lives on our lakes. With these SAR centers, we’re moving towards a future where help is never far away.”

The centers will be strategically located on Uganda’s three major lakes — Victoria, Kyoga, and Albert. On Lake Victoria, SAR centers will be established at key landing sites including Kaazi, Misonzi, Lwanika, Kiyindi, Masese, and Namba Emu in Buvuuma district. On Lake Kyoga, Zengebe landing site will host a center, while Lake Albert will see facilities at Panyimur and Kaiso landing sites in Packwach and Kikuube districts, respectively.

Fred Byamukama, Uganda’s state minister for transport, announced the project in collaboration with the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

According to the minister, these centers will act as beacons of safety, responding to emergencies swiftly and coordinating rescue operations across vast stretches of water.

“Our lakes are vital arteries of trade and travel, but they’ve also been sites of tragedy,” Byamukama said. “These SAR centers will change that. By offering round-the-clock surveillance and emergency response, we can ensure that water transport becomes safer and more secure for all.”

In a bold move to regionalize safety efforts, the government is also considering establishing a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mwanza, Tanzania, with three sub-centers in Kisumu, Kenya, and Entebbe, Uganda. These centers will synchronize rescue efforts across borders, creating a seamless safety net on the waters of East Africa.

But search and rescue operations aren’t just about boats rushing to the scene of a disaster. To complement the SAR centers, the government is constructing a Maritime Survival Training Centre in Entebbe, scheduled for launch next year.

The training facility will teach water operators crucial survival and rescue skills, ensuring that boat operators are equipped with the knowledge they need to handle emergencies.

“This is about more than just infrastructure,” notes Dr. Waiswa. “It’s about empowering those who use the lakes every day to act quickly and decisively in times of danger. We’re training a generation of water transport operators who will prioritize safety as part of their daily routine.”

The training center will also feature a 24/7 emergency call center, accessible through the code 110, where anyone in distress on Uganda’s lakes can call for help — at no cost, and from any network. This hotline is designed to provide quick response times, ensuring that help is always just a phone call away.

The government is also investing in equipment to support these SAR centers. Plans are underway to procure seventeen state-of-the-art rescue boats, all equipped with modern technology designed to handle the harshest of conditions on Uganda’s lakes. These boats will be dispatched whenever distress calls are received, ensuring that no incident goes unanswered.

“For too long, we’ve relied on outdated boats and poor communication to handle emergencies,” says Sarah Nambasa, a water transport operator on Lake Victoria. “With these new rescue boats and better coordination, we finally have the tools we need to make water transport safer.”

The establishment of these SAR centers marks a turning point for Uganda’s water transport sector. As the country’s lakes continue to support commerce, transport, and tourism, the government’s bold new measures promise to safeguard the lives of all who rely on these waters.

“We’re entering a new era,” says Minister Byamukama. “An era where our lakes are not just a means of survival, but places where everyone can travel and work without fear.”

For Uganda’s countless fishermen, traders, and travelers, the message is clear: safer days on the water are ahead.