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• 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

Alphabet subsidiary Loon inked a deal with Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) to begin flights over the country, allowing it to supply connectivity services in hard-to-reach areas and potential disaster zones.

At a media event in capital city Kampala, UCAA director general David Kakuba signed the agreement with Loon head of government relations Anna Prouse.

Following the announcement, newspaper Daily Monitor reported Loon would engage with telecommunications companies on the logistics of supplying connectivity to distant parts of the country and zones prone to natural disasters.

The agreement follows a number of test flights of Loon’s high altitude ballons, which act as floating mobile towers, in Uganda and neighbouring countries.

Loon service was deployed as a direct response to natural disasters in the Americas in 2017, following flooding in Peru and in hurricane-hit Puerto Rico.

Last month Telefonica signed a deal with Loon to use its balloons to extend its reach in rural areas of Peru, with launch scheduled for early 2020.

Adopted from: Mobile World Live December 10, 2019

Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  |  Civil Aviation Authority-CAA has applauded the ongoing works at Hoima International Airport in Kabaale Sub County in Hoima district.

Eng. Edward Kaweesi Ndawula, the CAA Board Chairperson who led his board members on a field visit to the construction site on Tuesday, said they are impressed by the speed of the works, level of integrity and professionalism exhibited by the contractors.      

The Airport is one of the key support infrastructures for the next course of the fast paced activities leading to commercial oil production. The airport construction works, which are in the second phase commenced in April 2018.

The US$ 309 million Airport project provided by Standard Chartered Bank and UK Export Finance is being undertaken by a joint venture of Israeli-British firms, Shikun & Binui International-SBI/Colas limited.

Currently, the construction of Runways, Earth works, capping of layer, pavements, Apron and filling areas for cargo is ongoing.

Ruth Apolot, the Senior Engineer Planning and Development CAA, says the Airport component will include a terminal, Parallel Runways, Cargo facilities, a control tower, an Apron, Taxi way and accommodation for staff among others.

Cherif Taha, the Resident Engineer of Shikun & Binui International-SBI, says their work has slowed down because of heavy down pour that started in September and has persisted, which may affect the project completion period.

Initially the construction of the Airport was to be completed by 2020.

Adopted from: The Independent November 27, 2019

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has been crowned winner of the ‘Going Global Award 2019’, after it was recognised by the International Trade Council as the Government Agency of the year in aviation.

This award comes a month after the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recognised Uganda with the ICAO council president’s certificate for efforts in resolving aviation security deficiencies at the ICAO Assembly in Montreal Canada on September 24, 2019.

UCAA publicist, Mr Vianney Luggya says the award is in recognition of the customer care, infrastructural improvement, training of staff and contribution towards supporting tourism and Agricultural exports facilitated through Entebbe international Airport.

“It was received by the Authority’s Manager for Marketing and commercial services Dr Tom Davis Wasswa in Chicago USA on October 23, 2019.”

The ICAO Award was in recognition of an outstanding performance in the 2017 Universal Security Audit Program continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA) in which Uganda scored 81.8% above the global average of 73% and the African and Indian Ocean States average of 58%.

UCAA has for the last four years been engaged in the upgrading of the institution of modern facilities including a new cargo centre and fuel reservoirs which will greatly improve Aviation Security and safety.

Adapted from: The Daily Monitor Wednesday October 30, 2019

https://www.softpower.ug/uganda-wins-global-award-for-strengthening-aviation-security/