By MV Pearl, a new ferry, Kalangala District - comprising dozens of islands on Lake Victoria - is just 30 minutes away from the mainland, but for a first time visitor, it's tempting to think that it is hundreds of miles away.

The new ferry operates between Bukakata Landing Site in Masaka District and Luku landing site from where one connects to Bugala, the largest island that also hosts the district headquarters - a distance of 66 km over bumpy road surface. This travel arrangement necessitated that we had to travel with our vehicles on the MV Pearl ferry.

This particular ferry, which is free of charge, is in itself a big investment by Kalangala's standards, aimed at bringing the islands into the national economy, having replaced the decrepit MV Bukakata. The ferry is one of the four projects being undertaken by Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS), geared at opening up the island to the neighboring areas for business and other activities.

The other three components under the KIS project, include the provision of safe and clean water to the residents on the islands, power generation and working on the main Bugala Island road. We were in the islands to witness the official launch these projects, whose completion is expected by June next year.

For a visitor, this is clearly "Palm Island" as most of the land that is covered by palm oil plants - a venture that was started years back by BIDCO, a vegetable oil investment company.

In fact, prior to the visit, BIDCO managing director Kodey Rao had told The Independent that they directly employ some 3, 000 people and over 10, 000 indirectly largely on their plantations including out growers and others in the transport sector. Rao said farmers were earning 'good money' and were all happy and that no company was paying higher than what BIDCO pays its contracted farmers.

Historically, fishing has been the traditional economic activity here, as well as timber cutting, petty trade, as well as tourism and hospitality albeit on a rather limited scale. These activities, area leaders said, would have taken off many years back, but the Island lacked major infrastructure and a conducive business environment.

This is what KIS - a subsidiary of InfraCo, a limited liability company registered in Britain - and the government are now trying to address under a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Indeed, July 16 was a memorable day on the islands. KIS officials, Kalangala leaders, contractors from the various projects, government officials, media and residents saw the launch of the construction works of the 66km main Bugala Island road.

The road is being constructed by SpenCon, a Ugandan civil contractor. John Opiro, KIS's managing director, said they would invest and maintain the infrastructure for 15 years and thereafter, government would pay back the money with interest.

The project, in total will cost $50million. Opiro said, they have invested about 40% of the money on the works already done on power, water, ferry and road.

"Already a modern ferry, MV Pearl is commuting from Bukakata Island to Luku doing five rounds a day," he said "Passengers are not charged even coin, because government pledged to pay." A second ferry will be brought next year to support MV Pearl.

The road is expected to improve the transport situation and support economic activities on the Island.

Initially, the project faced challenges such as the bureaucracies involved in the tendering process and the resistance that came from some of the people who thought that the project was aimed at "stealing" their land.

"But these problems are far behind us and we are progressing with the work," Opiro said. He said the project has more of a developmental face than a business one and that it "is a blessing" for the people of Kalangala and the Ugandan economy as it will give business activities such as the vegetable oil industry, fishing and tourism among other small economic activities, a significant push.

The road runs from Luku is being expanded and upgraded to a class B gravel road there by qualifying for regular maintenance as a national road by the Central government.

John Byabagambi, the Works State minister, launched the project. The government, through the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Transport Licensing Board would continue to supervise the operations of KIS to ensure people get the required services.

KIS is already erecting electricity poles, which will enable the distribution of power to most parts of the Island. Opiro said they plan to generate 1.5MW from both solar and thermo sources but this will rise to 5MW as the demand grows.

The power project is being spearheaded by Ferdsult Engineering Services Ltd.

For water supply, already some Islands like Kasekuro are enjoying the clean piped water for which residents pay Shs100 per 20-litre jerrycan. Opiro said they will cut the price by half (to Shs 50) once they introduce the prepaid metres with time.

Happy leaders:

Local leaders, Members of Parliament, area councilors among others were visibly excited.

Willy Lugoloobi, the Kalangala district chairperson and Fred Bada, the Bujumba MP, applauded KIS and government for the developments but said they would not accept poor quality work.

"What we need is value for money. We need quality," said Bada.

Lugoloobi said given their amazing flora and fauna, they are keen on making Kalangala a top tourist destination in Uganda.