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The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCA) held an Air service Licensing Public Hearing where Companies that applied to obtain Air service Licenses in Uganda defended their applications and intentions in business before approval by the UCAA board

The public hearing that was held at Mestil Hotel Nsambya saw three companies, Grand Air services, Zone 4 International Airlines and Jet ways Airlines Limited defend their applications, explain their capabilities and intentions in business

Mike Ndawula the UCAA Board Chairperson said the public hearing where members of the public are in attendance, companies do present and defend their abilities followed by questions from the public for clarification on some contentious issues

Ndawula added, “We also look at the opportunities the applicants are to provided and contribute to the Aviation industry, our economy, tourism sector among others and within 7daysb after the boards decision the companies will know their fate”.

According to the manager Public Affairs UCCA Vianney Luggya, The Airlines that appeared for the hearing, Jetways Airlines Limited applied for Non-scheduled Passengers and Cargo services license while Grand Air Services and Zone 4 International limited applied for non-scheduled Cargo Service licenses.

On the same event, UCAA launched an Online Air Service Licensing portal that allows air operators to easily apply for the Air service License.

The Head of UCT at UCAA James Mubiru said the portal will improve on service delivery as applicants can track their applications and also cut on costs as it is flexible and requires limited movements.

Adopted from: The Sunrise March 5, 2020

KAMPALA – The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) announces the operationalization of the new e- Air Service Licensing system portal which can be accessed at caa.go.ug

The development has been introduced following the long and tedious manual process where the applicant has been required to obtain and fill a form, attach associated documents, and finally present the file to the UCAA for manual processing.

UCAA is optimistic that the new development will work well as it has pass-through thorough check and interaction with other government agencies relevant to applicant verification.

The development is a result of the engagement meeting held between UCAA and aviation stakeholders in September 2019 where a decision was reached to introduce an online portal that allows air operators to easily apply for the air service license.

Mr. James Mubiru, the Head of ICT at CAA said the automation process is aimed at improving service delivery and cutting costs on the operators as compared to the old system of manual application and physical handing in of applications.

Mr. Mubiru said the applicant can easily track the time the application was submitted among other advantages.

The portal was launched during CAA’s Air Service Licensing Committee meeting held at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya where three air service providers defended their applications to operate in Uganda.

The applicants included Zone four International Airlines Ltd, Grand Air services and Jetways Airlines Limited.

Eng Edward Mike Ndawula, Chairman Board CAA said the public hearing was meant for the air service applicants to defend their applications and clearly highlighting their intentions while in business.

“It is a strong recommendation that they come before the board for a public hearing where members of the public are invited; they make a presentation on their capacities and capabilities, then questions asked for clarification. Many times on our part as a board, we want to find out that what was presented is exactly what these guys presented.

Adopted from: PML Daily March 5, 2020

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Entebbe International Airport has been re-modified to ease travel needs and clearance for dignitaries coming to Uganda for the G77 + China summit in April.

The G77 is the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations, used as a platform to articulate and promote their collective economic interests and enhance their joint negotiating capacity on all major international economic issues. The coalition which was started by 77 countries, now has 135 member countries.

Uganda was confirmed as the host of the summit in October, last year making it the first African country to host the event, which brings together heads of state of the Group of 77 coalition and more than 300 other high-level dignitaries from the member states and the United Nations. The meeting which will take place at the Commonwealth Resort in Munyonyo from April 17 to 19, 2020.

Last month, a delegation from the Secretariat of the G77 + China in New York visited Entebbe International Airport to assess the readiness of Uganda for the summit. The officials, among other places, visited the Immigration, the arrivals and departure terminals of Entebbe International Airport and the VIP Lounge.

Eng. Ayub Sooma, the Director for Aviation Safety and Security at Entebbe International Airport told URN that measures have been taken to ensure that dignitaries coming for the summit do not go through the lengthy queues like other travelers and that the airport is not congested when they arrive.

Sooma says that some of the immigration stalls will be solely reserved for G77 delegates and that these will all use the VIP section at the airport.

Adopted from: The Independent February 8, 2020

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Director Airports & Aviation Security Mr Ayub Sooma has said the new extension to the arrivals and departures lounge will help to reduce congestion at the Airport.

“The remodification of the passenger building is intended to solve issues of arrival and departure, today our rivals and departures are congested and also don’t give a good feeling to both arriving and departing passengers” he said.

Mr Sooma made the remarks during a tour of ongoing expansion works at Entebbe international Airport by state minister for transport Ms Joy Kabatsi on Thursday.

Minister Joy Kabatsi touring the new clearing counters
“We have put up a remodification on the terminal building to put up an elegant feeling for passengers. Many of the passengers have been carrying their luggage from very far points to reach the terminal building, now this terminal building is to purposely solve security issues which the current format was not solving@ he said.

Mr Sooma said although the new building is not complete the Authority will use the top floor to facilitate departures of delegates in the upcoming G77 + China Summit from 17th to 19th April 2020 that is to be hosted in Uganda.

Min. Joy Kabatsi leaving the new terminal building at Entebbe International Airport
“We are going to make the departures it will not be complete but it will be in a usable form for the delegates to use in the departures areas only, we are almost completing once they finish putting in air conditions they are going to put the ceiling and its done. We are targeting the end of this month at least March for the usable space and after carry out the second phase of the completion” he said.

The UCAA chairman board of Directors Mr Mike Ndawula said the authority is working closely with the national organizing committee (NOC) for the summit which is expected to be attended by over 100 Presidents and 1000 delegates to ensure that the airport related needs for the delegates are met.

“Entebbe International Airport will be a major entry and exit point for all the delegates, which calls for meticulous attention to detail in order to ensure smooth facilitation on arrival and departure” he said.

The state minister for transport Ms Joy Kabatsi said UCAA has to be mindful of it’s expected facilitation role to execute as the country hosts international conferences to avoid prolonged inconveniences to passengers and users of the services and facilities at the airport.

“Conferences of this nature contribute to growth in passenger traffic figures which ultimately translate into increased revenue for UCAA. Ongoing infrastructural upgrade projects that are expected to be delivered to facilitate this and similar conferences in future ought to be expedited” he said

Adopted from: Entebbe Post (Focus) on February 12, 2020 

ENTEBBE – State Minister of Transport Joy Kabatsi, visited Entebbe International Airport on Thursday, February to stand on the latest preparations of receiving the G77+China delegations slated to come to Uganda in April.

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority officials led by the Managing Director, Dr. David Kakuba, guided the minister on a tour of the new departure immigration counters, passenger terminal building expansion works, Terminal Operations Control Center and new Cargo Center.

Minister Kabatsi flanked by journalists and ministry officials also inspected the new departure and arrival halls at the airport and checked on all the security measures inside and outside the airport including the UCAA’s readiness to provide the necessary parking for over 100 presidents and thousands of delegates expected to participate in the major event.

Kabatsi gave directives to officials to ensure early preparations-warning of possible consequences in case of shoddy work.

Kabatsi, however, defended the delay in completion and handing over the new cargo terminal centre which was due for completion in December 2019 citing unforeseen circumstances but urged the engineers to speed up the work to reduce congestion of people and their baggage.

Eng. Ayub Sooma, the Director and Aviation Security explained that the alternation with the expansion plan and change in weather conditions affected the scheduled completion time but “we are taking necessary measures to have them completed very soon”

“Our arrivals and departure sections do not give a good feeling to the arriving passenger when entering the country and those departing….we have put up remodification and the terminal building to give a good feeling and elegance,” he said assuring the minister that “we have eased the ways people depart and arrive”

He said the new terminal building is purposely to solve security issues that the current format was not solving.

Dr. Kakuba also gave updates on the progress and timelines.

Works for modification and expansion of the passenger terminal building are also on-going and are over 80% level of completion.

The Entebbe International Airport upgrade involves improving the airspace management and flight procedure designs, implemented the Air Traffic Services (ATS) Message Handling System and a computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Airport Operational Database (AODB) system.

Other works include improvement of flight procedures efficiency through Air Traffic Management, establishment of a modern terminal operations control center that has already been installed at the airport and a training facility at the CAA Head office.

He divulged that the authority has expanded the long term car parking from 240 to 410 parking slots and increased departure immigration counters from 6 to 11 and improved the area ambiance.

The upgrade and expansion project forms part of a 20-year National Aviation Master Plan (2014-2033) unveiled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda (CAA) in January 2015.

Adopted from: PML Daily on February 9, 2020

In Summary

• Mr Robert Mpanga, the Hospital administrator, commended the UCAA for the support saying the hospital had some medical equipment although they weren’t enough.

By EVE MUGANGA

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) on Wednesday donated medical equipment and supplies worth Shs20 millions to Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital.

The donated items are; two oxygen concentrators, two patient monitors, one Refrigerator, two patient mattresses, sunrise including gloves, cotton and gauze among others.

According to the UCAA Director General, Prof David Mpango Kakuba, part of the money used to buy the equipment was raised from the aviation health run which was held in Entebbe on November 10, 2019 while celebrating the International Civil Aviation Authority’s 75th anniversary.

“UCAA is an organisation which operates in a forest of risks. Anytime we can get emergencies, therefore this hospital has to be fantastically equipped because it’s the first point of call in case of any emergencies at Entebbe International Airport. Because of economic hardships in the country, you can’t have everything, so we decided to add on the ones available,” he said.

Mr Robert Mpanga, the Hospital administrator, commended the UCAA for the support saying the hospital had some medical equipment although they weren’t enough.

Adopted from: The Daily Monitor Wednesday January 29, 2020

Google Loon, the tech giant’s subsidiary that works with helium powered balloons that provide internet has announced an overflight agreement with Uganda.

They signed an agreement in Kampala with representatives from Loon and the Ugandan government. The overflight permissions in Africa are key as Loon works towards the provision of service in Kenya and beyond.

“Loon is grateful for the approval that the Uganda government has given as we prepare to provide service in Kenya and beyond,” Anna Prouse, Loon Head of Government Relations said. “These permissions are critical as we work to advance our mission of connecting people everywhere.”

“It was a two year journey and we are glad that the Loon team persevered in explaining us this technology that is designed to help mankind,” Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Dr David Mpango said. “Although initially scared, we are now converted disciples and will be happy to spread the Gospel to neighbouring countries,” he said.

Google Loon is also working with other regional governments, including Kenya and Tanzania to secure overflight approvals to provide service in the continent.

Google’s Loon has similar overflight agreements with other countries and it makes sense. Their balloons operate at high altitude to provide internet to remote populations and that is why they have to work with governments to operate on their airspace.

In Kenya, Google has made strides to operate Loon in the country. Communications Authority approved Telkom Kenya’s partnership with Loon to fly them in the country. Loon also opened a ground station in Nyeri as they neared the commercial launch of the service.

Loon balloons operate at pretty high altitudes. They are launched and operate at 20km above sea level, which is higher than what planes travel at (12km). They are launched from the United States and navigate towards a targeted location. they are monitored 24/7 and to date, they have flown over 1 million flight hours and travelled over 40 million kilometres. When they are decommissioned, they are navigated to a sparsely populated landing area for a soft landing and specialized teams collect the payload for analysis and recycling.

Adopted from: Tech Weez December 10, 2019