UCAA highlights key Achievements, Challenges as Aviation Passengers soar

Diana Kibuuka

With its mandate of promoting safe, secure, regular and efficient use plus the development of Civil Aviation, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) held a stakeholders engagement on January 21, to give an account of its previous operations.

The breakfast meeting which was held at Sheraton hotel by Four Points in Kampala, was attended by stakeholders from the government, private sector and the non-government organisations. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, the UCAA director general emphasised some of the cardinal roles of the aviation authority including but not limited to regulation of air transport in Uganda, management and development of airports as well as providing air traffic and navigation services among others.

Passengers

Key of the achievements in the past year was the record-breaking passenger traffic which stood at 2,243,104 people in the year 2024, the highest number ever recorded in the airport’s history. “There were 1,117,412 arriving passengers in 2024, reflecting a 17.1% and 1,125,692 departing passengers reflecting a 15% growth,” Bamwesigye noted.

*Fred Bamwesigye, the UCAA director general*

In 2019 (pre-COVID), Uganda recorded 1,802,107 international passengers plus 27,316 domestic aviation passengers. Due to the intensity of COVID-19, the numbers decreased to 565,541 international passengers and 6,023 domestic passengers in 2020.

In 2023 upon the recovery of the ripple effects of COVID-19, international aviation passengers shot to 1,932,094 plus 23,019 domestic travelers. The numbers kept increasing up to 2,243,104 international passengers in 2024 plus 22,795 domestic passengers in the same year.

Cargo

According to Mr. Bamwesigye, a total of 67,731 metric tons of cargo were handled in 2024, surpassing the 64,731 metric tons handled in 2019 (pre-COVID) and above 59,073 metric tons of cargo handled the previous year, 2023.

The increase in overall passenger traffic was attributed to commencement of Uganda Airlines flights on the Abuja, Lagos and Mumbai routes plus other new air operators joining the Ugandan airspace. Mr. Bamwesigye also attributed the upward trend to sustained tourism promotion as well as the resumption of international conferences, such as the NAM and G77+China Summit, among others.

“Cargo traffic grew as a result of a stable economic environment and increased international trade,” noted Mr. Bamwesigye.

Security audit

UCAA underwent a universal security audit programme- continuous monitoring approach which saw the aviation body score 81.6%, way above the regional average of 64.5% and the global average of 72.36%. The audit which was conducted in 2024, is a mandatory evaluation process by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a given country’s security systems in compliance with the standards and recommended practices.

Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the minister for works and transport lauded the UCAA team for the highlighted achievements of 2024. “In a special way, I would like to congratulate the entire aviation industry in Uganda for the 81.6% score in the universal security audit programme. Such results provide a strong foundation for international airlines operating in and out of Entebbe airport,” Katumba remarked.

He further observed that failing such an international audit would have had significant repercussions for the country’s reputation and security. The minister appealed to UCAA and all aviation industry stakeholders to strive and ensure consistent excellence in facilitating seamless travel through Entebbe airport.

“The ministry of works and transport places great importance to the aviation sub-sector, recognising its critical role in promoting tourism, trade and socio-economic development. To this end, the ministry has taken significant steps towards signing additional bilateral Air Service Agreements with other countries to develop a robust air transport network that connects Uganda to major cities worldwide,” the minister expressed.

Infrastructure upgrade

Entebbe airport facilitated 1,935 delegates from 123 countries who attended the NAM and G77+China summit- thanks to the modified terminal building which was opened in January 2024. UCAA had completed the modified terminal building which offers spacious and comfortable environment.

“Most recently, 977 delegates were facilitated through Entebbe International Airport to the African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Department Programme (CAADP) Summit at Speke Resort, Munyonyo in Kampala from January 9-11, 2025,” remarked Olive Birungi Lumonya, the UCAA deputy director general.

Other major deliverables for the upgrade and expansion project, is the new 20,000 square metres passenger terminal building and associated services including three more aerobridges. Upon completion of all the infrastructural upgrade projects, the terminal building capacity will be enhanced from the current maximum capacity of 2 million passengers a year to at least 3.5 million passengers annually- according to Mr. Vianney Luggya, the UCCA public relations manager.

The aviation regulator also completed resurfacing of the runway, taxiway and apron at Kisoro aerodrome, among other enhancements to facilitate tourism. The authority remains with a medium-term plan of constructing a new terminal building at Kisoro and the possibility of upgrading the runway from its current length of 1200 meters to 1800 meters.