NAFISAT Meeting Reaffirms Africa’s Vision for ‘Safer, Smarter & More Connected Skies’

Munyonyo — Uganda has cemented its growing role as a regional aviation hub, hosting two major international aviation meetings at Speke Resort Munyonyo—the 20th NAFISAT Supervisory Board Meeting and the EU-CORSIA Africa and Caribbean National Workshop—both focused on enhancing safety, connectivity, and environmental sustainability in air transport.

On Tuesday, the Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Mr Fred K. Bamwesigye, officially opened the 20th NAFISAT Supervisory Board Meeting, running from October 14–17, 2025.

The meeting, organised by UCAA in collaboration with Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation – Eastern and Southern Africa (ICAO-ESAF), has attracted representatives from 14 NAFISAT member states, alongside officials from ATNS, IATA, and ICAO.

In his remarks, Mr Bamwesigye praised Uganda’s hosting of the NAFISAT Maintenance and Management Centre at Entebbe International Airport, describing it as “a hub that ensures operational integrity and technical coordination for the entire region.”

He lauded NAFISAT as “a true success story and proof of what African States and institutions can achieve when we work together toward a common goal.”

ICAO’s representative, Mr Harvey Gabriel Lekamisy, highlighted NAFISAT’s role in supporting Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network (AFTN) and ATN services, noting that its VSAT-based system provides reliable communication links in regions with limited terrestrial infrastructure, while integrating with other continental networks such as SADC VSAT and AFISNET.

Over the next few days, discussions will focus on strengthening interoperability, upgrading infrastructure, and aligning regional systems with ICAO’s Global Air Navigation Plan and Aviation System Block Upgrades (ASBUs).

Mr Bamwesigye emphasised the importance of capacity building, innovation, and inclusivity, ensuring that all States benefit from the region’s progress.

“The 20th NAFISAT Supervisory Board Meeting is not only a review of technical systems—it is a reaffirmation of Africa’s collective vision to build safer, smarter, and more connected skies,” he said.

EU-CORSIA National Workshop on Green Aviation

Earlier this month, UCAA, in partnership with the European Union through the EU-CORSIA Africa and Caribbean Project, held a three-day national workshop also at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

The workshop focused on the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), and CORSIA Eligible Fuels (CEF)—bringing together representatives from government ministries, airlines, academia, and the aviation industry to explore ways of reducing carbon emissions in aviation.

Opening the workshop, UCAA Deputy Director General, Ms Olive Birungi Lumonya, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to ICAO’s global climate goals, saying the country is investing in emissions tracking systems and exploring the potential of Sustainable Aviation Fuels to achieve both environmental and economic gains.

She described the workshop as “an important step toward ensuring Uganda’s active contribution to greener skies for future generations.”

Participants examined topics including SAF value chains, feedstock sustainability, life-cycle emissions, and policy frameworks for SAF development.

Ms Lumonya expressed appreciation to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Union for their support, noting that such partnerships are “critical to advancing Uganda’s transition to a greener aviation future.”

Both events reflect Uganda’s growing leadership in regional air navigation, climate action, and aviation innovation—positioning the country as a key player in shaping Africa’s future skies.