The government, under the leadership of President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, is finalizing upgrades in preparation for the arrival of MV Mwanza Hapa Kazi Tu, a passenger vessel designed to improve transportation services for communities surrounding Lake Victoria.
MV Mwanza, currently under construction, will be East Africa’s largest passenger vessel, accommodating up to 1,200 passengers, 400 tons of cargo, 20 small vehicles, and three large trucks.
This capacity far exceeds that of MV Victoria, which currently holds 600 passengers, making it a vital addition to the lake’s transport network.
As part of this initiative, the government has invested 60 billion TZS to upgrade three major ports on Lake Victoria: Kemondo, Bukoba, and Mwanza North.
The upgrades aim to enhance service efficiency and capacity within the region’s transport infrastructure.
At Kemondo Port, improvements are 98% complete, with final touches, including site cleaning, underway before its official launch. Bukoba Port is progressing well, with upgrades at 75% completion.
Key enhancements include increasing the water depth from 3.5 meters to 5 meters at both Kemondo and Bukoba ports to accommodate larger vessels.
The docks are also being extended from 75 to 92 meters, while the dock floors are being reinforced with concrete to ensure structural stability. Additional improvements include the installation of secure fencing, construction of waiting areas for passengers, cargo inspection stations, a modern electrical system, and wind barriers.
To streamline services at the upgraded ports, the government is introducing one-stop service centers at each location. These centers will house a range of essential services, including the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Forestry, Immigration, Health services, and the Customs and Freight Agency, supported by security personnel to ensure a smooth and secure service experience.
This strategic investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to modernizing transport services on Lake Victoria, with the goal of promoting regional connectivity and economic growth.
