President Yoweri Museveni inaugurated a new logistics facility on Lake Victoria in Kawuku Bwerenga, marking a significant step in transforming Uganda’s fuel transport and storage capabilities. This project is set to transport and store oil from the port of Kisumu to Entebbe using tanker ships, reducing the country’s reliance on road transport for importing fuel. “Our transport system is presently irrational because of so much traffic on the roads, which is not economical. By getting fuel off the roads, we are targeting the rationalization of the economy,” President Museveni stated at the launch event, attended by numerous leaders from the energy, transport, and business sectors.
The developers of the project were commended for their commitment to environmental protection, ensuring no pollution risks to the waters of Lake Victoria. The facility, situated next to this vital resource, adheres to stringent safety standards. Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, highlighted that the transport tankers meet international standards, featuring a double hull design for enhanced safety in oil transportation on the lake.
This groundbreaking project is set to significantly boost Uganda’s oil and gas sector, transforming the nation’s methods for transporting, storing, and handling petroleum products. Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa hailed the project as a milestone for Uganda’s energy sector, reflecting the country’s dedication to diversifying fuel import routes and fostering economic growth.
“This project represents a major investment in developing a fuel transportation system via ships on Lake Victoria, leveraging the availability of the lake and appropriate infrastructure in Kenya. It is a crucial step in reducing transportation costs, a key factor in business expenses,” Nankabirwa stated. The facility includes two tankers, each with a capacity of 4.5 million liters, capable of transporting up to 90 million liters of oil monthly through multiple trips. The terminal features a loading capacity for 20 trucks simultaneously and can discharge about 7 million liters in a single shift, making it the largest such facility in East and Central Africa.
The project’s chairman emphasized the facility’s large storage capacity, capable of holding 15 days’ worth of the country’s consumption, acting as a crucial asset for oil importing companies. “We are unwavering in our commitment to safety. The tanks are constructed to API Standards, ensuring both safety and efficiency,” he concluded.
#ICTTMNews #BreakingNews #LogisticsUpdate #SupplyChainNews #WarehouseManagement
