President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday received a delegation from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala.
The meeting was on the sidelines of the Uganda-South Africa Trade & Investment Summit at Speke Resort, Munyonyo,
The purpose of their visit to Uganda is to conduct a comprehensive oversight audit of Entebbe International Airport, aimed at evaluating Uganda’s adherence to ICAO standards and recommended practices in the aviation sector.
During the meeting, President Museveni expressed Uganda’s readiness for the audit. He also emphasized that the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority team should remain open to learning and be prepared to make necessary improvements where required.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, who was also present at the event emphasized the significant potential benefits of a positive audit outcome for Uganda. He stated that it would instill trust and confidence in the country’s airspace among all stakeholders.
Minister Katumba stated, “There will be confidence that our airspace is safe to use,” noting that a favorable audit result could pave the way for Uganda Airlines to expand its flight operations, including destinations like the United Kingdom, which currently restricts the national carrier’s access to its airspace pending the audit’s conclusion.
“If the audit comes out positive, then it will be a chance to operate in the UK. Not only in the UK but also in other areas like China, Mumbai, among others,” Gen. Katumba emphasized.
Mr. Manjang Kemo Ousman, the leader of the ICAO audit team, commended President Museveni and the Ugandan government for their ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety. He acknowledged Uganda’s untapped aviation potential, suggesting that with modest investments, the country could unlock significant opportunities.
“If you look at Uganda as a country, there is a lot of potential that could be unlocked with small investment in aviation, but you have to do well and demonstrate to the international community that Uganda is serious. Uganda has effectively implemented safety oversight systems at the international level,” Mr. Manjang affirmed.
He further emphasized that once all safety measures are met, it would unlock Uganda’s full aviation potential.
The meeting also saw the presence of Justice Steven Kavuma, the Chairman of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Board, and Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, the Director-General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, among other distinguished officials.
The ICAO oversight audit represents a significant step towards bolstering Uganda’s aviation sector and fostering international confidence in the safety and quality of its airspace operations.