Kampala, Uganda – The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is undergoing significant reforms to enhance the country’s aviation sector, aiming for greater independence and efficiency.
According to Fred Bamwesigye, the Director General of UCAA, the authority is reviewing its dual role of regulatory and service provision functions to comply with global best practices. The goal is to separate regulatory duties from service provision to ensure more sustainable and effective aviation operations.
Speaking at the 2025 Aviation Stakeholders Breakfast, hosted at Four Points By Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday, Bamwesigye emphasised the positive strides made in aviation security, revealing that Uganda’s aviation security systems have improved significantly.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) results have surpassed regional and global averages, reflecting a strong vote of confidence in the country’s aviation security.
Uganda’s partnership with ICAO took a significant step forward in May 2024, when Uganda signed a capacity development and implementation agreement with the organisation. This agreement will grant Uganda access to ICAO’s expert roster, project management tools, and customised training packages. A major deliverable under this partnership will be the development of a new National Air Navigation Plan for Uganda.
The aviation industry has also seen significant growth in operators and routes. Currently, Uganda is served by 18 international scheduled operators, with 26 licensed operators overall. In 2024 alone, UCAA granted Air Services Licenses (ASLs) to 10 new operators.
Among the new entrants, Premier Airlines and Kush Air commenced flights between Juba and Entebbe in December 2024, while Uganda Airlines expanded its international presence by adding routes to Lusaka, Abuja, and Harare. Flynas also launched a new route between Riyadh and Entebbe in January 2025.
UCAA’s continued focus on infrastructure development is also evident at Entebbe International Airport, where the major upgrade and expansion project is nearing completion. While the overall project is 95% complete, the new 20,000-square-meter Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), which includes additional aerobridges, is still under construction and is expected to be completed by June 2025.
This expansion will increase the airport’s capacity from 2 million to 3.5 million passengers annually, positioning Uganda as a key player in regional and international aviation.
Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, also highlighted the progress at Entebbe, noting that the airport is now equipped with a facility that meets international standards for exporting goods to the European Union. He said this infrastructure is poised to support the seamless handling and processing of exports, ensuring efficiency and compliance with global regulations.
In addition to the growth of international routes, UCAA’s efforts are aimed at strengthening the resilience of Uganda’s aviation infrastructure. Regional airports have also reported a 27.1% growth in traffic in 2024, although some experienced a slight decline compared to the same period in 2023.
The UCAA Director General, Bamwesigye, shared that the aviation industry in Uganda has bounced back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic faster than anticipated.
Key takeaways
- Uganda’s aviation security has exceeded global and regional averages.
- New partnerships, including with ICAO, are enhancing Uganda’s aviation capabilities.
- Entebbe International Airport’s expansion is 95% complete and will increase passenger capacity to 3.5 million by 2025.
- Uganda has seen growth in international flights with new operators and routes added in 2024.
- The aviation industry is recovering quickly from the impacts of COVID-19, with regional airports showing growth.