The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has inaugurated the National Committee on Wildlife Hazard Management, tasked with minimising the persistent threat of wildlife, particularly bird strikes, to air operations.
The inaugural meeting, held in Kampala, was officiated by Justice Steven Kavuma, UCAA Board Chairperson, on behalf of the Minister of Works and Transport, General Katumba Wamala.
The Director General of UCAA, Fred Bamwesigye, highlighted the strategic importance of this committee: “Its formation underscores Uganda’s commitment to a systematic, science-driven approach to mitigating wildlife threats around airports.”
He emphasised that the committee was not a ceremonial body but a functional, results-oriented team formed under Statutory Instrument 94 of 2022.
Bamwesigye recalled notable incidents, including a 2010 bird strike involving a KLM Airbus A330 at Entebbe International Airport, which resulted in significant operational disruptions and costly engine replacement. These incidents, he said, are not isolated but part of a broader global trend threatening aviation safety, economic efficiency, and passenger lives.
He stated that the growing intersection of aviation infrastructure with natural ecosystems and human settlements calls for “a national, coordinated approach” to wildlife hazard management.
“The Committee will serve as the central policy coordination and data-sharing platform,” he said. “It’s a shift from reactive firefighting to a proactive, integrated safety culture.”
Justice Kavuma commended UCAA and underscored the urgent need for inter-agency collaboration. He asked the committee to always remember that wildlife hazard management is not about exclusion, but balance.
“It is about respecting the natural habitats while creating secure zones of operation for aircraft. That balance is delicate, but with science, data and dialogue, it is achievable.” Adding, “Let this Committee be known not only for its policies, but for its impact on Aviation safety, and on the future of aviation in our country.”
Beyond policymaking, the Committee is tasked with promoting national awareness and facilitating the exchange of vital information, such as;
Real-time wildlife hazard experiences, Scientific research and evolving best practices, Regulatory frameworks relating to environment and airspace safety, Training standards and technological innovations, and Insights on wildlife biology, behaviour, and population trends.
This will help improve response measures, streamline mitigation strategies, and build a resilient aviation safety environment capable of adapting to emerging risks.
The Committee brings together a diverse mix of professionals and institutions from aviation authorities, wildlife and environmental experts, to academia and the military.