The Ministry of Works and Transport has warned boat operators against violating safety regulations, saying enforcement teams have been strengthened to deal with reckless behaviour that puts passengers and cargo at risk.
The measures target operators who overload vessels, transport passengers without life jackets, exceed speed limits and continue sailing during restricted hours, particularly at night.
The Minister for Works and Transport Fred Byamukama said the government would step up enforcement to reduce accidents and deaths on Uganda’s lakes and other water bodies.
He said passengers and operators must take responsibility for safety, warning that ignoring established guidelines puts lives at risk.
Byamukama said the country continues to lose lives through drowning and boat accidents, making stronger enforcement and public cooperation necessary.
He urged passengers to report dangerous practices and alert authorities whenever they encounter difficulties or become stranded while travelling on water.
The minister said Uganda had in recent years invested in improving water transport by increasing the number of ferries and strengthening infrastructure to support the movement of passengers and cargo.
He said the improvements had helped boost trade and connectivity, particularly on Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert.
Among the major projects being pursued by government is the development of Bukasa Port on Lake Victoria. The government is also planning to rehabilitate and upgrade Port Bell, Jinja Port and Ntoroko Port to improve their capacity to handle passengers and cargo.
Byamukama said the projects were part of a wider plan to expand inland water transport connections and provide more efficient alternatives for moving goods and people.
The minister made the remarks at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala while briefing journalists about Uganda’s preparations to host the ninth Annual Conference and General Assembly of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA).
The three-day conference will take place from November 17 to 19, 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
It will be held under the theme, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Africa’s Maritime Transformation through Effective Governance, Innovation and Sustainable Blue Economy.”
Byamukama said the conference would bring together African maritime administrations, government officials and other industry players to discuss challenges affecting the maritime sector and identify practical solutions.
He said the meeting would provide an opportunity for African countries to strengthen regional cooperation, share experiences and develop common strategies for the sustainable growth of the continent’s maritime industry.
The conference is also expected to attract senior officials from across Africa and beyond, including the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation, Arsenio Dominguez, heads of African maritime administrations and other industry stakeholders.
