Jinja Boat Operators: Oppose Shs450,000 Licensing Fees

Boat operators and fishermen at Masese Landing Site in Jinja City have opposed proposed registration and licensing charges totalling Shs450,000 for passenger boats, urging the government to provide life jackets and other safety equipment instead of imposing additional costs. The operators argue that the proposed fees would increase their financial burden, as they already pay taxes, fishing licences, parking fees and other charges imposed by local governments and regulatory authorities. They also accuse the government of investing more in road transport infrastructure while neglecting the safety needs of communities that depend on lakes for transport and their livelihoods. The concerns emerged during a sensitisation campaign by the Ministry of Works and Transport to engage fishermen and boat operators on regulations governing inland water transport under the Inland Water Transport Act, 2021. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn The campaign aims to improve safety, regulate boat operations and streamline activities on Uganda's inland waterways. Fred Barasa Nderema, the acting assistant commissioner for ships, ports and security in the ministry's Maritime Administration Department, said passenger boats would be required to undergo inspection and licensing before being allowed to operate. Under the proposed arrangement outlined during the engagement, passenger boats would pay a one-off registration fee of Shs200,000 and an annual licensing fee of Shs250,000, bringing the initial cost to Shs450,000. The ministry needs to clarify whether the registration charge would apply only once and whether the annual licensing fee would remain unchanged in subsequent years. Barasa said all boats would first be inspected by the Ministry of Works and Transport before being categorised according to their intended use. "All boats are supposed to be inspected by the Ministry of Works and Transport. Upon inspection, we shall categorise them. Those used for leisure, passenger and cargo transport shall be licensed by the Ministry of Works and Transport, whereas those used for fishing shall be licensed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)," Barasa said. However, operators say they are already struggling to meet the costs of running their businesses and fear the additional charges could make water transport more expensive. John Bosco Akera, head of Swim Safe Jinja, said operators pay several fees, including fishing licences, parking fees and landing-site licences imposed by local governments. Akera warned that the proposed Shs450,000 initial charge could be difficult for operators whose earnings depend on daily passenger traffic and fishing activities. The operators are asking the government to reconsider the fees and ensure that the regulations do not impose an unsustainable financial burden on their businesses. John Walusansa, chairperson of passenger boat operators at Masese Landing Site, urged the government to provide life jackets rather than introduce additional charges. He argued that people operating on the lake deserved the same level of government attention as those using road transport. "On the mainland, the government is tarmacking roads and installing streetlights, but on the lake, nothing is being done. Since we also pay taxes, the government should instead provide us with life jackets annually," Walusansa said. He added that the cost of purchasing good-quality life jackets was beyond the reach of some operators, making it difficult to equip their boats adequately. According to Walusansa, an adult life jacket costs between Shs80,000 and Shs150,000. He said operators with limited financial resources often struggle to buy enough life jackets for their passengers, exposing travellers to greater risks in the event of an accident. The operators want the government to incorporate the provision of life-saving equipment into its water safety interventions alongside the enforcement of registration