New Ferry for Entebbe-Kalangala / Bugala Islands

Introduction

Travel between Entebbe and the Ssese Islands—especially Bugala Island in Kalangala District—has long been a vital link for residents, tourists, and traders. Given the popularity of the islands and the demand for reliable transport, recent developments have brought in a new ferry service aimed at easing travel, boosting tourism, and improving logistics for goods and people alike.

What’s New

A new vessel named MV-NODL has been introduced to operate on the Entebbe-Kalangala ferry route. The ferry is meant to complement the existing vessel (MV Kalangala), particularly during times when the older ferry is undergoing maintenance or when passenger numbers spike, such as during festive seasons. Unlike MV Kalangala, the new ferry focuses primarily on carrying passengers rather than cargo or vehicles.

The ferry departs Entebbe (via Nakiwogo dock) in the afternoon and returns from Kalangala in the mornings, providing more flexibility and more options for people traveling between the island and the mainland. Fares, schedules, and capacity have been adjusted to reflect the new service, although exact rates are still under negotiation.

Benefits

This addition has several potential upsides:

• Reduced congestion: With another ferry available, fewer people will have to wait long periods for travel, particularly during peak times.

• Reliability: Having a backup ferry ensures that when one vessel is out of service (for repairs or maintenance), travel is not severely disrupted.

• Tourism boost: Easier, more predictable scheduling encourages more tourists to consider the Ssese Islands for short trips and weekend getaways.

• Economic impact: More frequent movement of people can help businesses on the islands—lodges, resorts, restaurants—and provide better support for island residents in accessing services and goods.

Limitations & Things to Monitor

As with any new service, there are some considerations and potential downsides to keep an eye on:

• The new ferry does not carry vehicles or large cargo. For people needing to transport cars or heavy items, the older ferry or other means remain in use.

• Schedule timing means that travel from Kalangala back to Entebbe typically happens in the morning; for some travelers this may not align with their plans.

• Fares have not yet been fully settled, and there is community interest in making sure rates are fair—affordable, especially for frequent commuters or island residents.

• Infrastructure at docks (loading/unloading, waiting areas) and ticketing systems need to be smooth to avoid bottlenecks.

• Safety, checks, and approvals (route charts, docking permissions) must be confirmed for all operations to ensure that everything meets regulatory standards.

What This Means for Travel to Bugala Island

For tourists or people planning to go to Bugala Island:

• Travel becomes more flexible—having more ferry options means more choice in departure times.

• Booking ahead may be wise now to ensure you secure a seat on the newer ferry, especially during busy periods.

• Expect shorter queues and less waiting if MV-NODL is operating alongside MV Kalangala.

• For island businesses, this is a chance to promote packages around ferry schedules—for example, combining evening departure with dinner on the island or early morning returns.

Conclusion

The launch of MV-NODL on the Entebbe-Kalangala / Bugala Island route is a promising development. It brings much needed additional capacity, helps reduce dependency on a single vessel, and can improve the overall experience of island travel. To realize its full potential, attention will need to be paid to pricing, schedule alignment with travelers’ needs, safety, and ensuring that infrastructure supports this expanded service. If all goes well, this could mark a meaningful improvement in connectivity to one of Uganda’s most scenic island destinations.