On September 29, 2022, the world commemorated World Maritime Day under the theme “Technologies for greener shipping”. Mary Tumwikiririze, who is passionate about everything to do with Marines, used this as an opportunity to launch the Marine Association of Uganda with her as the president.
The launch event, which was attended by distinguished guests from different government bodies, kicked off at 10:00 am with the team being treated to a guided tour of Port bell an international landing site in Luzira a Kampala suburb.
The guides rotated around vessel repair in terms of safety, which is one of the first priorities while dealing with water transport.
The marine experts then commenced to the official launch of the marine association in Uganda. Throughout the conversation, it was obvious that there is need to relieve Uganda of boat and vessel accidents.
“Standards must be followed if we need to move a step further for it is standards that will make our country be taken more seriously. We need to have a mechanism where we monitor all the travelers and water activities, Said Reverend Samuel Atabua the Chief Fire Officer at Civil Aviation.
He went on and said that the issue of water safety should be taken very seriously and should be a starting point for Ugandans to improve image in the eyes of the locals and the international bodies.
During the launch, adherence to international marine standards was part of the day’s messages and for similar reasons , the Marine association of Uganda is programmed to conduct a baseline survey that is aimed at finding a lasting solution to water transport accidents.
“The baseline survey will help us in finding more about who is where, what are they doing, what can we leverage from them, because there is a lot of experience and expertise out there and the associations major role is to get partners, plan, get things done as well as look for resources to implement our objectives,” Ms Lillian Nakato Kyadodndo said.
The launch of the marine association of Uganda comes nearly four years after the country witnessed the MV Templa on lake Victoria that claimed over twenty lives and a few rescued.
After the launch of the association, there was a demonstration by expert divers from UPDF and Civil aviation authority to show the guests the different ways they save people on water in case of accidents.
