Port Bell: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Port Bell is a small industrial centre near Kampala in Uganda, that has a harbour, which is used for international traffic across Lake Victoria.

The port is named after Sir Hesketh Bell, a British commissioner, who took over administration of Britain's interests in Uganda in 1906. The nearest town is Luzira, is 1 mile away.

Lake Victoria ferries operate from the port linking Kampala, 5 miles / 8 km away by railway, to other posts on Lake Victoria including Jinja, Kisumu and Mwanza. Initially, in 1901, Kisumu, 12 hours journey away by ferry, was the rail head of the Uganda Railway. Ferries brought goods by lake to the railhead there. It was not until 1931 that the railway reached Kampala.

At present, Uganda Breweries has its main brewery at Port Bell. In the 1960s one of the first instant tea factories was located at Port Bell as was a factory distilling warragi, a strong, indigenous, alcoholic drink.

Before the jet airline era, Port Bell was a landing point on the British flying boat passenger and mail route from Southampton to Cape Town. Port Bell linked Khartoum and Kisumu.