MV Uhuru is a Lake Victoria ferry in East Africa. She is a Kenya Railways train ferry that operated between Jinja, Mwanza, Musoma and Kisumu.
Uhuru and her sister ship MV Umoja were built in 1965 and entered service in 1966. At over 300 ft (91 m), they were the longest vessels on any of the East African lakes.
The two vessels were owned and operated by the East African Railways and Harbors Corporation (EARH) until 1977, when EARH was divided between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
MV Uhuru has her tug boat MV Peeda, which is mainly used by marine staff and put on standby for emergency services. The motor vessel was commissioned in 1956.
MV Uhuru can carry a total load of 1,400 tonnes. Each tank wagon has a capacity of 50,000 litres, The vessel can carry 22 tank wagons, bringing a total of 1,100,000 litres.
Operations
MV Uhuru will be able to transport petroleum products from Kisumu Port to Port Bell in Uganda, taking approximately 19 hours for the 244km (152.25 miles) journey. The petroleum products belong to oil companies in Uganda, and shall be delivered to their depots within Port Bell area.
Based on availability of 80%, the Vessel can make 10 round trips in a month, between Kisumu Port and Port Bell.
Other wagons (covered/open/flat) are being refurbished, and can be used in transportation of conventional as well as containerized cargo, between Kisumu Port and Port Bell.