Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety, digital innovation, and human capacity development at the 15th Africa Regional Meeting of the International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (IFATSEA) held at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Officiating at the event on behalf of the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Katumba Wamala, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Justice Steven B Kavuma, emphasised the Government’s dedication to embracing digital transformation in air navigation services.
He lauded engineers as the unsung heroes of aviation safety, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the sector’s continued reliability and resilience.
“This meeting comes at a critical time when rapid technological advancements are reshaping the global aviation landscape. Engineers must be equipped not just with tools but with the mindset and capacity to navigate the evolving digital era,” Justice Kavuma stated. “Uganda is investing in innovation, infrastructure, and human capital to ensure the continent is not just keeping up, but leading.”
Held under the theme “Digital Transformation in CNS/ATM: Strengthening ATSEP Competencies for a Safer and Sustainable Future”, the conference brought together air traffic safety electronics professionals to deliberate on advancing competencies and fostering sustainable aviation practices through technology.
Delivering remarks on behalf of UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye, Eng Ayub Sooma, Director of Airports and Aviation Security, underscored the importance of continuous professional development and indigenous innovation. “We are not just adopting technology; we are fostering it,” he said, highlighting homegrown innovations such as the Aeronautical Billing System and the Computerised Maintenance Management System, developed entirely by UCAA’s internal teams.
Sooma noted that UCAA is transitioning from traditional terrestrial navigation systems to satellite-based navigation under Performance-Based Navigation (PBN), a move that improves flight efficiency, reduces emissions, and increases passenger comfort.
He further pointed out the implementation of direct routing and continuous climb/descent operations, marking significant milestones in Uganda’s airspace modernisation efforts.
Justice Kavuma echoed these sentiments, stressing that training and skill-building are non-negotiable in aviation. “While training budgets are often the first to be slashed, in our sector, they are a necessary investment,” he said.
He also affirmed the Government’s openness to engage with professional associations such as UGATSEA to promote capacity-building and innovative partnerships.
President of UGATSEA, Isaac Kamugo, noted that the speed of technological advancement, particularly in artificial intelligence, automation, and digital systems, demands a proactive, innovative, and collaborative approach. “This gathering provides a platform to share strategies, challenges, and solutions that will shape the future of aviation in Africa,” he said.
The conference continues throughout the week with exhibitions, technical sessions, and networking engagements aimed at building a digitally competent and safety-focused aviation sector in Africa.