According to a press statement, the boat donation follows a request from the fishing community last year when MTN staff visited Kiyindi to launch their annual staff voluntary program dubbed “21 days of y’ello care.”
The activities carried out that day included the refurbishment of the Makonge health centre, donation of four full sets of computers with internet connectivity and community cleaning.
The Kiyindi community requested for support to enhance water safety and emergency response including rescue and medical referral. To that effect, MTN donated 100 life jackets and pledged a 15-seater water rescue boat. The modern water emergency rescue vessel worth Shs 52 million is made of fibreglass, provided with a waterproof canopy and cushion seats.
It has a Yamaha outboard engine, an anchor, 2 oars, a fire extinguisher, 5 lifebuoys, first aid box and patient stretcher. It was made by Fisheries Training Institute, Entebbe and licensed by ministry of Works and Transport.
While handing over the emergency rescue boat at an event held at the Kiyindi landing site, Patrick Tusiime, the regional commercial head expressed concerns about health emergencies and water safety in the area and MTN’s commitment towards reaching out to the communities within which they operate.
“We understand that water transport is the only way people in this area can access the islands and the mainland and this comes with challenges. As MTN Uganda, we have honoured our pledge of providing the residents of this area with an emergency rescue boat,” Tusiime said.
The Kiyindi-Buvuma route currently has one ferry that carries 120 passengers and 8 cars, making three trips each day between Kiyindi landing site in Buikwe district and Kirongo landing site in Buvuma district.
This, therefore, makes it hard for the ferry to cater for emergencies that may not resonate with its schedule. The boat was handed over to Jane Frances Kagaia, the resident district commissioner of Buikwe who will entrust it with the district health officer to oversee its usage. Kagaia thanked MTN for heeding to the request of the people of Buvuma and the surrounding areas.
“I thank MTN Uganda for giving us this emergency rescue boat. Here travelling by water is almost inevitable and like all forms of transport, we encounter situations that require the services of an emergency rescue or response boat. This will ensure water transport safety for our residents and visitors as they travel between the mainland and the islands.” Kagaia said.
To enhance water safety, MTN last year donated 100 life jackets and commissioned a 24-hour rescue communication line in Kiyindi to respond to the soaring numbers of water transport emergencies in Buikwe and Buvuma districts.
Last year still, MTN donated 550 customized solar kits to 9 schools and 3 health centres in Buvuma under its “Light up a Village” project in order to boost education and health services in the off-grid island.