Kalangala residents windy season preparations are in full swing as communities brace for the dangerous winds and waves expected on Lake Victoria. Every July and August, strong winds disrupt water transport and endanger lives across the district’s 64 inhabited islands.
In August 2024, Uganda experienced one of its worst water disasters in five years when 16 passengers died near Nsazi Island. These recurring tragedies have pushed both local leaders and residents to take stronger precautions this year.
According to the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), strong winds for 2025 will arrive slightly later than expected. UNMA spokesperson Yusuf Nsubuga linked this delay to heavier-than-normal rainfall in June and early July, which slowed wind activity across the Lake Victoria basin.
However, he warned that conditions are now shifting. “By late July into August, we expect heavy waves. Boat operators must watch the waters and delay travel if necessary. All passengers must wear life jackets,” Nsubuga urged.
Kalangala’s chief administrative officer, Fredrick Ssemwogerere, suspended all non-essential government travel to remote islands such as Mazinga and Bubeke during the peak wind period. He admitted this would affect service delivery but said staff safety remains the top priority.
“We prefer delayed work to lost lives. Staff heading to distant islands must wear life jackets and carry safety gear,” Ssemwogerere said.
District chairperson Rajab Semakula confirmed that departments like health and engineering received life jackets and safety instructions. He emphasized that workers should travel only when absolutely necessary.
To improve access and safety, the district added new ferries. MV Nathalie began operations last year, and MV Ormiston Water Bus is expected soon. These larger, more stable boats reduce reliance on smaller wooden vessels that often capsize in rough waters.
Local traders have also adapted. At Mweena Landing Site, trader Julian Muwonge said businesses are stocking goods early to avoid disruption. “When waves rise, boat trips slow down. We buy bulk supplies in advance to keep customers served,” Muwonge explained.
Boat operators like Yusiya Nkunyinjji, who runs the Bukasa–Mweena route, now rely on early morning weather checks. “If the water is calm by 5 a.m., we sail. If it’s rough, we stay docked,” he said.
Even journalists are adjusting. Samuel Nkuba, chairperson of Kalangala Journalists Association, said many reporters now gather news through island contacts rather than risking travel.
Some fishermen, however, continue working despite the risks. Due to financial hardship, they can’t afford to take breaks. Godfrey Ssenyonga Kambugu of the Association of Fishermen and Lake Users Uganda (AFALU) advises fishermen to ensure their boat engines are functional and that every crew member wears a life jacket.
The Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU), deployed by President Museveni in 2017, has increased enforcement. Lt. Lauben Ndifula warned that authorities are cracking down on overloaded, unregistered boats and operators who ignore safety regulations.
Wind convergence patterns near Kalangala make the area particularly dangerous. According to a 2005 report from the Lake Victoria Environment Management Programme (LVEMP), winds from multiple directions meet here, producing unstable waves and heavy turbulence.
Past incidents show how deadly these conditions can be. In March 2024, six people died when a boat from Bussi Island capsized. Only 11 passengers wearing life jackets survived.
August 2024 saw another disaster when a wooden boat traveling from Kalangala to Kasenyi sank, killing 16 out of 25 people. In December, three died between Kirewa and Namiti islands. In February 2025, another boat with five passengers and five cows went down, killing everyone onboard.
These tragedies push Kalangala residents and leaders to stay vigilant. With firm coordination, better equipment, and timely decisions, they aim to minimize losses during this dangerous season.
