An ultra-modern Maritime Training facility at the Fisheries Training Institute (FTI) – Entebbe is under construction in the Republic of Uganda at a cost USD 1.45Million with funds from African Development Bank (AfDB).
The construction of the institute is set for completion in December 2023 this year.
The new institute will be the first to be built to cater for able bodied men and women in the EAC region and the rest of the world planning to operate or operating vessels in both all navigable inland water bodies and the oceans.
The institution has been built in accordance with regulations set for establishment of institutions under the international convention on Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
The facility will also assist in training boat operators, fishermen and able sea men to attain qualifications for marine education.
The institute that is based in Entebbe, Wakiso District is equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities like a Marine training swimming pool, Bridge Simulator (Maritime Navigation and Engineering training), equipped training lab for students, and medical first Aid facility.
The scope of the contract also included FTI full renovations of the buildings, construction of a community jetty, a slipway with capacity of (5-10ton) vessels and a boat maintenance workshop for repairing vessels.
Community jetty under construction in Entebbe, Uganda
Marine officers, boat operators, fishermen and young marine engineers within the East African partner states and the rest of the world will benefit from the planned maritime training courses.
According to Lake Victoria Basin Commission Regional Project Coordinator for MLVMCT project Mr. Ategeka Henry, the institute will be a key milestone to improving safety in the Maritime sector in the East African Community.
The Utra-modern Maritime Training Facility nearing completion
Mr Ategeka said, “This will be a great opportunity for members of the EAC states and even in the diaspora to benefit from the training offered in this ultra-modern facility”
Lake Victoria Basin Commission Executive Secretary Dr Masinde Bwire pointed out that the institute will provide professional training that will help in improving Maritime safety.
Dr Bwire said, “This new institute will provide our boat operators, Sea men and also fishermen with much needed skills that will also go a long way to improve on maritime safety within our lake”.