Regional Cooperation in Air Transport Takes Centre Stage as Uganda Hosts 48th EAC Facilitation Meeting

Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to deepen regional integration and improve cooperation in air transport at the 48th East African Consultative Meeting on Facilitation of Air Transport (EAC FAL) held at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Opening the meeting, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, hailed the gathering as a key platform for harmonising standards, strengthening collaboration and advancing the seamless movement of passengers, cargo and aircraft across the East African Community (EAC).

He emphasised that the annual consultative meeting plays a critical role in inspecting, reviewing and auditing airport facilitation compliance in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annexe 9.

Gen Katumba Wamala recalled that Uganda was nominated to host the 48th meeting during last year’s convening in Kigali and thanked partners for entrusting the country with the responsibility. He highlighted that the consultative forum derives its mandate from Article 92 of the EAC Treaty, which calls for harmonised civil aviation policies, safe and efficient air transport services, and common facilitation measures for passengers and cargo.

He noted that Uganda remains a central hub for regional connectivity, citing Entebbe International Airport’s handling of over 243,000 international passengers and 5,257 metric tonnes of cargo in August 2025 alone. The Minister added that the relaunch and expansion of Uganda Airlines, now serving 17 destinations, continues to boost trade, tourism and linkages within Africa and beyond. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aviation safety, security and infrastructure development, including ongoing sustainable operations.

Winstone Katushabe, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Bageya Waiswa, commended the EAC FAL mechanism for promoting harmonised facilitation standards across the region.

He noted that Uganda’s National Air Transport Facilitation Committee meets twice annually to monitor compliance with standards domesticated from ICAO Annexe 9.

Bageya outlined the achievements of Uganda’s coordinated approach to facilitation, including improvements in airport infrastructure, strengthened aviation security, enhanced passenger and cargo clearance processes and stronger promotion of the country as a tourism hub.

He welcomed recommendations from the inspection of Entebbe International Airport, saying the feedback will guide further improvements in line with regional and international obligations.

The Acting Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Ms Olive Birungi Lumonya, welcomed delegates to Kampala and thanked the EAC FAL for advancing compliance among partner states. She noted that Uganda continues to strengthen the implementation of Annexe 9 provisions, which have improved border security, passenger experience and overall sector performance.

She cited traffic growth of over 1.1 million international passengers in the first half of 2025 and outlined major infrastructure upgrades at Entebbe, including terminal expansion, cargo centre operations and runway rehabilitation.

The meeting is expected to review progress on previous resolutions and propose measures to enhance regional cooperation in aviation facilitation.