As the Government of Uganda seeks to prioritise water transportation tourism on Lake Victoria, cruise operator Nyanza Evergreen Waterways has opened a new regular weekly route between the capital, Kampala, and the country’s adventure destination, Jinja. 

Water-based transport, utilising the vast expanse of Africa’s largest lake, has been identified as not only a cost-effective alternative to road transport, but also as an attractive, experiential option for tourists travelling to Jinja.   

Nyanza operates two 54-seat boats on Lake Victoria – MV Vanessa and MV Nathalie – which have already been offering private cruises and trips between Entebbe and Kalangala. 

The new route – departing from Kampala on Fridays and returning on Mondays – offers a two-hour cruise to Jinja, during which passengers can experience scenic views of the lake and coastline. 
Jinja is one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations, hosting the source of the River Nile and many other tourist activities, including white-water rafting, bungee jumping, horseback safaris, cultural excursions and nature tours. 

Nyanza has also partnered with Nile Bridge Cottages to offer weekend accommodation and customised activity packages in Jinja. 

Lilly Ajarova, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), has earmarked water transport tourism as an untapped potential contributor to Uganda’s tourism sector. UTB’s 2022/23 Tourism City Development Plans have also highlighted the development of Jinja as a gateway tourism city, under a greater Entebbe-Kampala-Jinja project that will highlight the available tourism and investment opportunities in the three cities.

“The tourism opportunities in Jinja City, such as adventure and cultural tourism, will position Uganda as a unique destination for an adventure of a lifetime,” Ajarova said at a meeting held recently between the UTB and Jinja City Authority to discuss the plans.