The Construction Challenges of Uhuru II Wagon Vessel by Local Engineers under Expatriate Training and Supervision in the Lake Victoria Basin Kisumu, Kenya
Authors: Makone Jared K. 
Published: December 2023

The MV Uhuru II is a cargo ship designed to transport cargo within Lake Victoria. It is a powerful and reliable vessel, equipped with a range of sophisticated systems that are essential for its safe and efficient operation. MV Uhuru I and her sister ship MV Umoja were built in 1965 by Yarrow Shipbuilders in Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland, and entered service in 1967. 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. This research paper aims to explore the challenges encountered during the construction of the first vessel in the Lake Victoria Basin by local Engineers. The study provides insights into the various obstacles faced by researchers, engineers, and stakeholders involved in the project by identifying and analyzing these challenges. This paper seeks to contribute to future vessel construction efforts in the region. Local shipbuilding industry seeks to harness the potential of the oceans, lakes and coastal areas while ensuring their long-term health and productivity for future generations. It is estimated that the blue economy, if used properly, has the potential to inject up to 4.8 billion US dollars to Kenya's economy and create over 52,000 jobs in the next 10 years. This, combined with a sustainable approach, should make a difference in the protection of maritime ecosystems. The Lake Victoria Basin is a significant water body in East Africa, providing a vital transportation route and supporting various economic activities; ensuring the long-term viability of fish stocks by implementing effective management practices, combating illegal fishing, and promoting sustainable fishing methods, expanding and promoting responsible aquaculture practices to meet the growing demand for seafood while minimizing environmental impacts. Enhancing port infrastructure, improving maritime connectivity, and optimizing logistics to facilitate trade and economic growth within East Africa region. Constructing a vessel in this region poses unique challenges due to the geographical, environmental, and logistical factors. Hence there is a need to focus on the difficulties encountered during the First-time local Construction of MV Uhuru II wagon Vessel by local engineers under expatriate supervision in the Lake Victoria Basin Kisumu. Kenya needs to formulate a clear and detailed strategy outlining the vision, goals, and steps required to become a pioneer in shipbuilding. This strategy should consider market demand, infrastructure development, skills training, and regulatory frameworks and should invest in the necessary infrastructure to support shipbuilding activities. The MV Uhuru II is a cargo ship designed to transport cargo within Lake Victoria. It is a powerful and reliable vessel, equipped with a range of sophisticated systems that are essential for its safe and efficient operation. One of the most important systems on the MV Uhuru II is its hull structure. MV Uhuru II is the first-class ship built in Kenya from scratch, the ship project costed Kshs 2.4billion until it’s completion at period of 24 months and marked Kenya the pioneer of shipbuilding in Africa. The vessel has been constructed and assembled locally saving Kenya tax payer Kshs 1.3billion an amount that could have been spent on importation MV Uhuru II with capacity of 1063 tons was built at the Kenya Shipyards by Kenya agencies including Kenya Defense Forces, the Technical skilled civilian and including partnership with a Dutch firm, Damen Shipyards. These was the part of the Government plan to revive maritime trade and promote blue economy activities in Lake Victoria basin.  The vessel built were comfortably carry 22 wagons of capacity of two million liters of crude oil per trip across the lake and can sail to the neighboring Uganda and Tanzania within 10 hours at speed of 14 Knots as compared to MV Uhuru I which sail 17hours at the same distance, The vessel undergone modular approach in shipbuilding industry, this involved the construction of sections or modules of a ship in different locations, which were then assembled to form the complete vessel. While this approach had several advantages such as increased efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility, it also presented a number of challenges. Securing adequate funding for this sector for vessel construction projects in the Lake Victoria Basin is often difficult due to economic constraints. The biggest challenges facing shipbuilding in Africa is lack of adequate capital investment. Investors are still skeptical about investing in the African shipbuilding industry, and government often doesn’t prioritize it in their budgets at the moment, because it’s a new local technology exploration. This is one of major challenges Kenya Shipyards Limited will face in future if this technology is not tapped and introduced to our local universities. Unforeseen challenges and delays during construction can lead to cost overruns, impacting the financial viability of the project. The African shipbuilding industry may be limited by the lack of market opportunities and competition from well-established shipbuilding nations in the developed world.