Pearl Nagawa 
Runners being flagged off by Fred Bamwesigye, the UCAA director general during the aviation run held on Sunday in Entebbe municipality
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) organised a successful third edition of the aviation run that took place on Sunday October 20, in Entebbe municipality. This year’s run was organised in conjunction with the Uganda Aeronautical Information Service Officers Association (UGAISOA).
It aimed at addressing menstrual health whereby, all the proceeds will be used to construct a manufacturing facility for reusable sanitary pads in the communities of Budondo in Jinja district and those in Namayingo district.
Moses Obbi, the UGAISOA president said, every year, the aviation run addresses different challenges in a given community. At the inception of the corporate-social responsibility, following the first run of May 2019, the proceeds were channeled towards learners with visual impairment at Sure Prospects primary and secondary school, in Wakiso district.
The staff from several corporate entities and organisations participated in the Sunday marathon, running in the categories of 5km and 10km. Runners were flagged off by the UCAA director general Fred Bamwesigye at Entebbe mayor’s garden, making rounds through Entebbe town and back to the starting point.
In the 5km female category, Patience Asasira emerged the winner, bagging sh500,000 followed by Praise Natukunda who was given sh200,000 and Gift Amutuhaire in the third position winning sh100,000.
In the same 5km race, Raymond Omara emerged the winner in the male category, followed by Patrick Labeja and Raymond Tomanya. The trio was also awarded equal monies as the females in the same category.
Jacinta Nambuya was the best female in the 10km race winning sh500,000, followed by Viola Kalembe with sh300,000 and Linda Nabukeera came in the third position, winning sh200,000. In the males’ race, Daniel Comboni emerged the best, followed by Felix Aiko and Geoffrey Luteezo, all winning the same cash prizes as the females who participated in the same race.
“However, this event is not about accolades but about connecting people. We have succeeded in attracting the best as well as elite runners to add special flavour to the event,” Bamwesigye the UCAA director general remarked.
Obbi, the UGAISOA president said, upon the compilation of all the monies collected from the run plus the pledges, funds will be delivered towards the intended cause.
Some of the partners who participated in this year’s Aviation run include, DHL, Entebbe Municipal Council, National Water & Sewerage Corporation, Clarkson, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Kajjansi Executive Aviation, Yalicos, China Communications Construction Company, Uganda Air Cargo Corporation, Menzies Aviation, Entebbe Zoo, Air operators, schools, medical service providers, Ministries, Departments and Agencies among others.
Improved Passenger numbers
Vianney Luggya, the UCAA Public relations manager noted that in September 2024, Entebbe International Airport recorded a total of 188,710 passengers, of which 100,350 were arriving and 88,360 departing passengers, bringing to an average of 6,290 passengers per day compared to the 5,710 passengers per day recorded in the same month of September 2023.
The Cargo recorded a total of 5,739 metric tonnes in September 2024, where 3,701 metric tonnes were exports and 2,038 metric tonnes were imports. He underscored the importance of Air transport as being a key driver for social-economic development which also influences others sectors such as tourism, agriculture, oil and gas among others.
About The Author
