Kalangala as a district in Bugala Island has many changes and this is because of the oil palm project by Bidco Uganda Ltd.The Company has constructed roads that have eased transportation on the mainland therefore bringing a big change to the Bugala Island.
But before becoming a district, Kalangala town was a landing site for oar driven boats and motor boats to harbor. When the Motor Vessel (MV) that works on the islands of Lake Victoria stopped operating in 1990’s, trade and transportation to the islands became difficult therefore affecting the Uganda’s biggest foreign income earner which is tourism and the only ferry that was at Bukakata in Masaka was not avaliable therefore increasing the insecurity of travelling to the islands. A business man dealing in silver fish said some people started giving up with the islands because they were no longer effective to do business.
In February 2006, the Uganda Government started constructing the MV Kalangala which is a large vessel at Uganda’s biggest port on Lake Victoria which is port bell and currently it is used by everybody like the business people, tourists, and students to travel to the Islands. This vessel has eased transport because before it was nine hours to the islands but now it is only three hours. It operates everyday from Nakiwogo landing site near the international airport city of Entebbe at 2pm to Lutoboka landing site in Kalangala district at about 5pm and returning from the island, it is from 8am and arrive at Entebbe at 11am.
The MV Kalangala carries 8 cars, 100 tones of cargo and 108 passengers. For a one way journey, each person pays Ushs14.000 ($7) for first class and Ushs10.000 ($5) for second class. Transportation of vehicles is from Ushs50.000 ($25) – Ushs60.000 ($30) one way and this depends on its length.
Drinks and snacks are sold on board and also from hawkers at every landing site.
At Kalangala, there are small lodges and beach hotels along the lake shores provide accommodation and entertainment to the visitors.
At dusk, the beaches are lit by the silver fish locally called the Mukene which look like lamps and candles. These tiny fish have an irresistible smell and a high market in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and are transport on the MV Kalangala to the islands.
Kalangala as a tourist destination has a stable environment, the sandy beaches and forests with a variety of wildlife like the velvet monkeys, birds like Kingfishers, Fish eagle, whale-headed Stork, Herons and Grey parrots by the forest waterfalls. These have therefore led to activities like birdwatching, fishing, walking, and boat riding and also enjoying the beautiful and untouched surroundings.
Kalangala is a perfect destination for your last days of your Uganda safari as a way to relax.
