A regional initiative has significantly strengthened maritime safety across Uganda over the past seven years, transforming emergency response systems on the country’s waters.
The project, implemented under the Ministry of Works and Transport, has focused on establishing critical infrastructure, including Search and Rescue (SAR) centres and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs), aimed at improving water transport safety.

To date, five SAR sites have been strategically set up across Ugandan waters and are fully operational, enabling faster and more coordinated responses to emergencies.
The facilities are equipped with essential resources such as community jetties, water ambulances, rescue boats, life jackets, weather buoys, and firefighting vessels. In addition, a dedicated training facility has been established to support water operators, alongside the recruitment of personnel to strengthen coordinated rescue efforts across maritime and water utility sectors.

The initiative aligns with a “Zero Incidents” or “Zero Harm” approach, a proactive safety strategy focused on preventing injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage on Uganda’s waterways.
At the core of the system are coordination centres that ensure emergency calls are handled with speed and precision, marking a major step forward in safeguarding lives and enhancing confidence in water transport across the country.





















