By Sarah Nanteza Kyobe
As I approached Masese Landing Site in Jinja City’s Southern Division, I was struck by the sight of the newly constructed Search and Rescue (SAR) Centre and the bright orange rescue boats docked on the water. The facility has given the landing site a more organised appearance, but its real significance goes beyond its physical presence. It represents renewed hope for safer journeys and faster emergency responses on Lake Victoria.
For thousands of people who depend on the lake for their livelihoods, transport and daily survival, water safety is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Fishermen venture onto the lake in search of a catch, while passengers and boat operators rely on water transport to reach their destinations. Yet these activities expose them to the risk of accidents that can claim lives, destroy livelihoods and leave families grappling with grief and uncertainty.
During my visit, the centre coordinator, Mr Philemon Kudeera, explained that the area experiences an average of six water accidents every week along Jinja’s Lake Victoria shores. If sustained, this figure points to the urgent need for effective emergency response systems and greater attention to water safety.
When an accident occurs on the lake, every minute matters. Strong winds, rough waters, limited communication and inadequate rescue equipment can make it difficult to reach people in distress. In such circumstances, the difference between life and death may depend on how quickly rescuers are alerted, how efficiently they coordinate their response and whether they have the necessary equipment to carry out an operation.
It is against this background that the establishment of the Masese Search and Rescue Centre should be welcomed. By bringing rescue infrastructure closer to the communities that depend on the lake, the facility has the potential to strengthen emergency response and improve the safety of fishermen, passengers and other water users in Jinja and surrounding areas.
People at the landing site welcomed the centre, noting that rescuing victims and retrieving bodies after accidents have long been challenging. Their concerns underscore the need for a coordinated, adequately equipped and reliable rescue service that can respond to emergencies without unnecessary delays.
However, the value of the centre will ultimately depend not on its appearance or the presence of rescue boats alone, but on its ability to respond effectively when lives are at risk. The facility must be supported by trained personnel, adequate fuel, functional equipment, reliable communication systems and clear emergency response procedures. Regular maintenance and sustainable operational funding will also be essential to ensure that it remains ready for deployment whenever an emergency occurs.
The Masese facility is one of five centres established under the Multinational Lake Victoria Maritime Communications and Transport (MLVMCT) Project, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The regional initiative seeks to strengthen maritime communication, safety and transport operations across the Lake Victoria Basin, a vital economic and social resource for millions of people in East Africa.
Within Uganda, Masese complements existing maritime safety infrastructure at Entebbe, which houses the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, and Kaazi, which also has a Search and Rescue Centre. Together, these facilities have the potential to strengthen coordination and improve the country’s capacity to respond to emergencies on its waters.
The regional nature of Lake Victoria makes such investments particularly important. The lake is shared by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and accidents, transport routes and other maritime activities do not always stop at national boundaries. Effective safety arrangements therefore require cooperation, timely information sharing and coordinated responses among the countries bordering the lake.
Beyond rescue operations, the Masese facility houses offices for marine vessel licensing and registration. It also has medical facilities where accident victims can receive first aid before being referred to nearby health facilities for further treatment.
These additional services could improve access to maritime administration and encourage compliance with vessel registration and safety requirements. They also offer an opportunity to bring essential services closer to boat operators and other lake users, helping to make the centre a broader resource for maritime safety and administration.
Nevertheless, infrastructure alone cannot eliminate accidents on the lake. Prevention must remain a central part of the effort to protect lives. Boat operators need to comply with safety regulations, carry appropriate lifesaving equipment and avoid setting out in dangerous weather conditions. Passengers should also be encouraged to use boats that meet safety requirements and to wear life jackets throughout their journeys.
Regular community sensitisation, safety education and enforcement of maritime regulations are equally important. Where accidents are caused or worsened by unsafe practices, improving rescue capacity must go hand in hand with addressing the conditions that put people at risk in the first place.
The centre has also generated interest among local young people, some of whom have expressed enthusiasm about employment opportunities as rescuers. This interest presents an opportunity to involve communities directly in maritime safety. Young people who understand local waters, landing sites and weather patterns could make valuable contributions to rescue operations if given the appropriate training, certification and equipment.
Engaging local communities in this way could strengthen trust in the facility while creating opportunities for skills development and employment. However, recruitment must be guided by professional standards to ensure that rescuers can operate safely and effectively in difficult conditions.
For communities whose livelihoods depend on Lake Victoria, the Masese Search and Rescue Centre is a welcome investment in public safety. It offers the prospect of faster emergency responses, better access to maritime services and stronger awareness of the importance of safe water transport.
The next step is to ensure that this promise translates into measurable results. Authorities and project stakeholders should prioritise the centre’s operational readiness, monitor its response times, maintain rescue equipment and support regular training for personnel. Public awareness campaigns should also be sustained so that fishermen, passengers and boat operators understand their responsibilities in preventing accidents.
Ultimately, the success of the Masese centre should be measured not simply by the infrastructure established, but by its readiness to respond, the effectiveness of its rescue operations and its contribution to reducing preventable deaths on the lake.
Lake Victoria will continue to sustain livelihoods, connect communities and support regional trade. Those who depend on it deserve a maritime environment in which their safety is taken seriously. With sustained investment, professional management, community involvement and a strong emphasis on prevention, the Masese Search and Rescue Centre can become an essential lifeline for Jinja and the surrounding lake communities.
The writer works with Uganda Media Centre.