Children exposed a Flight simulator during the one week training in aviation studies at DAS aviation school
Over 38 children aged between 6-15years old were this year exposed to aviation studies as a sneak-peak into the aviation profession. The study program conducted by DAS aviation school adjacent to Entebbe airport, is conducted every year in December for a period of one week. Jonathan Anthony Senfuma, the instructor for DAS aviation school noted that most people first venture into other courses and fields before finding their calling in aviation due to lack of career guidance.
“Therefore, to change that, we are exposing the little ones into the aviation world, showing them all the professions in aviation so that, later in the future, they can choose which one best suits them,” Senfuma expressed. He further noted that whereas the program currently runs for a week immediately after break off for holidays, the aviation school is contemplating having the training conducted at least twice a year.
“DAS aviation school is licensed to offer aviation studies. Having such a background, we customised this program tailored for children where we expose them to piloting, cabin crew, engineering, air traffic control, flight operations dispatch among others,” Judith Atumanya, a staff at DAS aviation school explained. She noted that the first edition in 2021 attracted 12 children from which the number has been increasing up to 38 learners this year 2025.
While receiving their certificates on Saturday, several learners narrated how their knowledge in aviation had improved upon being exposed to the profession during the holiday study program. “I learnt the aviation alphabet and how they state their letters, which is quite different from the contemporary way of stating them at school,” Abigail Daniella Muyomba, one of the young learners stated. Benedict Ogwalo, also a student, narrated how he shadowed one of the pilots during a flight from Entebbe airport around some parts of Uganda.
Louis Kigonya, the head of quality and safety at AirServ company also underscored the importance of early training among the children saying, if they’re not guided in the right path, the outside environment will most likely guide them in a wrong path. “Thirty years from now, most of us currently working in the aviation industry will be retired. Therefore, if we do not train these children to take over after us, the sector will be doomed,” Kigonya observed.
On behalf of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Vianney Luggya the public affairs manager lauded DAS aviation school for what he termed as a successful week dedicated to nurturing curiosity, discipline, and a love for aviation among children. “Through interactive lessons, simulations, and hands-on experiences, these young participants have been introduced to the principles of flight, aviation safety, teamwork, and professionalism. Programs such as this play a critical role in demystifying aviation and showing our children that the sky is not a limit, but an opportunity,” Luggya expressed.
He also commend the parents and guardians for supporting children and encouraging them to explore their interests at such a young age. “Your involvement is essential in shaping their aspirations and guiding them towards positive and productive careers,” Luggya remarked. He also explained that aviation is not merely about travel, but a powerful engine for socio-economic transformation. “The fact that Uganda is a landlocked country makes aviation an even more important driver of development because it is the major direct link to the rest of the world,” Luggya underscored.
According to the UCAA spokesperson, as aviation passengers keep increasing post-COVID-19, projections are looking at 7.6 million passengers through Entebbe international airport by 2036, with Kabalega international Airport in Hoima city which scheduled to commence operations in 2026, while other aerodromes at Arua and Gulu are planned for upgrade to international status, especially in the run up to Uganda’s hosting of AFCON in 2027.
“This growth and development in the industry opens doors, not just for airlines, but for you, the young people, as future aviators, engineers, flight dispatchers, air traffic controllers, airport operations officers, aviation medicine specialists, cabin crew, cargo handlers, flight inspectors, software developers, and innovators, among others,” Luggya encouraged.
The aviation industry also provides enormous opportunities, not just for technical professionals, who have specifically studied aviation courses, but for all professions in other humanities fields, including accounting, law, human resource, marketing, customer care, strategic planning, IT and procurement, among others.
