Advisory Circular UCAA-AC-UAS001, Issue 1, July 2020-Procedure for Importation and Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems/ Drones in Uganda

PROCEDURE FOR IMPORTATION AND OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS/ DRONES  IN UGANDA.

1. Purpose

This advisory circular (AC) has been issued to give guidance and information to             institutions,organizations and persons intending to import and operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems /Drones in Uganda.

2. Procedure

The  Procedure for importation and approval of drone operations in Uganda is divided into two steps;

1. Approval of drone Importation.

The process for approval of importation of drones is as follows;

1. When requests for importation of drones are received by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Customs, URA Customs writes to Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) communicating the requests.
2. UCAA first evaluates applications for preliminary compliance and then originates a letter to the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) regarding the same.

• CDF convenes the Tripartite Committee meeting to evaluate the request.

1. CDF writes back to UCAA communicating clearance to import the drone or rejection of the drone importation.
2. UCAA then writes to URA Customs clearing the drone importation and also notifies the Applicant .
3. The Applicant can now proceed and apply for approval of the drone operation.
4. Approval of drone Operation.

The process for approval of operation of drones is as follows;

1. The Applicant obtains a letter of no objection from the relevant line ministry regarding the planned operation.
2. The Applicant submits to UCAA a request for approval of the drone operation on Form: AC – UAS 001 together with the letter of no objection from the relevant line ministry. The request should be addressed to the Director Safety,Security and Economic Regulations on email: dat@caa.co.ug

• After evaluation of the request for preliminary compliance, UCAA writes to CDF  requesting for Security Clearance of the drone operation. A copy of the letter is given to  the Tripartite Committee and Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), if applicable.

1. CDF convenes the Tripartite Committee meeting to evaluate the request.
2. CDF writes to UCAA communicating the Security Clearance or rejection of the drone
3. The Applicant is required to pay an authorization fee of Ushs 250,000 + 18% VAT at UCAA Landside Revenue office located at Entebbe International Airport and submit a copy of the payment receipt to the office of the Director Safety,Security and Economic Regulations at the UCAA Headquaters.

• UCAA conducts safety evaluation and communicates Safety Approval and Security Clearance to the Applicant.
• On receiving the Safety Approval and Security Clearance, the Applicant commences

Advisory Circular UCAA-AC-UAS001, Issue 1, July 2020-Procedure for Importation and Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems/ Drones in Uganda Download Circular (PDF)

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION /OPERATION OF REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFTS (RPA) Download Application Form (PDF) OR Download Application Form (Word Doc)