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This is to clarify that the reminder message restricting photography and filming relates ONLY to operational restricted/sensitive areas within the terminal building (such as security screening areas and equipment, among other sensitive areas). This is not a new measure. Filming has always been restricted, and only takes place with prior permission.

Even journalists who access the terminal building for official coverage of activities first go through a formal clearance process before they can be allowed to take photos and videos of specific areas/activities.

Recently, some people had unfortunately adopted a practice of filming the security screening process and equipment. We are committed to implementing measures for a better passenger experience, but airport security and safety of all travelers will not be compromised.

However, selfies and other memorable video moments may be undertaken in the departure concourse (pre-boarding and duty free area) after the last security check or at the land-side before accessing the security restricted area.

We have noted various trending social media videos highlighting cases of alleged extortion of money from passengers through Entebbe International Airport. Uganda Civil Aviation Authority does not in any way condone such acts and where such incidents have happened, it is highly regrettable and unacceptable.

It is important for the public to know that while UCAA facilitates operations at Entebbe International Airport, this is done in liaison with several independent providers of key services, including, but not limited to Immigration, handling agents (NAS and DAS), airlines, Ministry of Health through port health, Security agencies, URA customs, and Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (Labour externalization agents), among others.

Nevertheless, we would like to assure the public that previously reported cases with specific details have been thoroughly investigated and where staff of various agencies operating at the airport were found culpable, serious disciplinary action was taken, including termination of contracts and withdrawal of airport access passes from them, among others. We would like to reiterate our commitment to continue engaging all the airport service providers to take tough action on anyone found culpable of this vice, and also ensure that complaints are duly addressed to the satistafction of the airport users.

Unfortunately, none of the regurgitated trending videos specifically states a particular check point, time, day and flight details of when the alleged extortion may have taken place. This would help the investigations. We are contacting the parties in the tik-tok videos to share with us information that can guide us to take quick action. In the past, we have investigated similar generalised claims made on Tik-tok, but unfortunately no specific information was established to corroborate the claims.

The airport has cameras placed in strategic places for security reasons and to enable UCAA address such issues when they occur.

The Authority urges the travelling public not to be compelled or lured into paying money to any staff they interface with (from whichever agency) in the course of travel through Entebbe International Airport. Please immediately report any case(s) of extortion in exchange for favors, including cases where the passenger has already left the airport. Please contact the following senior officials for immediate assistance.

General Manager, Entebbe International Airport – 0702-055158
Manager Aviation Security – 0701488366
Manager Operations – 0758483681
Chief Liaison Officer Airports – 0701477049
Email : aviation@caa.co.ug
Whatsapp: +256 757 269670
Twitter: @UgandaCAA

The public is also reminded that any inappropriate financial dealings with any person within the airport (such as exchange of money for favours) is illegal and criminal. Whoever may be found promoting it (passenger or employee ) is liable to be charged for abetting commission of a crime.

We shall continue to take action, but we need the public to cooperate with us by sharing specific timely information for action.

MANAGEMENT

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority received valuable feedback from key stakeholders, the users of the facilities at Entebbe International Airport. The Authority intially issued a statement that first acknowledged the feedback on January 19, 2023 without going into specific details of actions taken, but clarifying the mandate of the various agencies operating at Entebbe International Airport.

The public has since shared more leading information through the feedback channels provided and others continued online.

A press conference was jointly addressed by UCAA and the head of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control at Entebbe International Airport on January 20, 2023, which among others highlighted the following mitigation measures that have been put in place as follows;

1. In 2021, the Authority issued a directive to all airport stakeholders urging them to inform thier staff who interface with passengers in operational areas that use of private mobile phones is prohibited while on duty  within the terminal building. It is only the supervisors that were expempted. While there may have been laxity in implementation of this directive, it is now being re-emphasised and is to be fully enforced.
2. UCAA held engagement meetings with security agencies and others to harmonise operations of the different stakeholers on departure with a view of ensuring that some functions are merged and handled more efficiently by fewer agencies to avoid duplication and multiple checks and desks before a passenger accesses the check-in counters.
3. It has been resolved that after a passager has gone past Immigration on departure, recalling them or offloading them for any reason would only take place with the express permission of the Director Airports and Aviation security or General Manager- EIA of UCAA.
4. The Authority is intensifying the playing of messages on Flight Information Display screens at the airport alerting/reminding passengers not to be compelled to pay any money to anyone in exchage for a favour at the airport.
5. We would like to re-assure the public that all cases/complaints submitted to UCAA with evidence will be thoroughly investigated and action taken. A number of those, which were submitted earlier were worked on and action taken, with staff found culpable disciplined. From 2020 to date, 26 members of staff from various agencies have either been suspended, terminated or subjected to other disciplinary measures.
6. A UCAA staff who appeared in one of the videos and appeared to be negotiating some payment was detained at Aviation Police on the morning of January 20, 2022 and is to face disciplinary action as investigations continue.
7. Name tags for all staff operating at the airport are to be emphasised.
8. Customer service training for members of staff of all stakeholders operating at Entebbe International Airport is to be emphasised.

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arly next year, the government shall install two new Distance Measuring Equipment at Entebbe Airport to further help pilots navigate and land safely, Justice (rtd) Steven Kavuma, the board chairperson of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), has revealed.

“As a sign of commitment to improve safety in air traffic management, UCAA is in the process of upgrading the Very High Frequency (VHF) Extended Radio Network and it will handle installations in Entebbe, Soroti, Gulu, Masindi and Kasese in order to further improve reliability and coverage of communication between pilots and controllers,” he said.

He said this during the celebrations by the Uganda Air Traffic Controllers Association (UGATCA) to mark 100 years of the profession, held at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Friday.

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• Justice Kavuma hailed air traffic controllers for the great job they play in ensuring the safety and efficiency of flights in the air and on the ground.

“The advice and instructions you issue to pilots enable them to avoid collisions and ensure the expeditious and orderly flow of aircraft in the airspace. You are unsung behind-the-scenes heroes that have over the years done everything in your means to ensure passengers and cargo are safely and efficiently flown to their destinations,” said Justice Kavuma.

The Works and Transport Minister, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala urged air traffic controllers in Uganda to make their profession known to members of the public for many to join.

“You are our unsung heroes in air transport but you need to talk about yourselves because people don’t know you. You need to organize some programs on these media houses. That way, you will be able to attract more people to join the profession,” he said.

He further urged air traffic controllers to use their association to seek better working conditions and have their challenges addressed, but of course not through industrial action.

UGATCA president, Mr Tony Kepler Ssenkubuge said over the years, air traffic control has transformed for the better.

“It is my commitment and that of the air traffic control fraternity in Uganda to assure the world that we will continue to work with dedication and commitment to ensure Ugandan airspace is safe, secure and efficient,” he said.

 The UCAA Deputy Director General, Olive Birungi Lumonya said they employ 110 air traffic controllers but expressed concern that only 12 of these are female.

She noted that recent global studies indicate that only 20 per cent of countries in the world have a female representation of more than 20 per cent.

Adopted from: The Daily Monitor November 21, 2022

Entebbe International Airport passenger traffic continues to grow with  156,081 international passengers handled  in August 2022 (73,899 arrivals and 82,182 departures), an average of 5,034 passengers per day compared to 4,892 in July.

The steady increase in passenger traffic according to Mr. Vianney M. Luggya , the Spokesman at the Civil Aviation Authority , (CAA)   is attributed to a number of factors, including widespread vaccination across the globe, which has led to relaxation of some previously stringent travel requirements.

“The fully vaccinated are exempted from PCR test requirements at Entebbe and confidence building measures by airports, including Entebbe  and  Airlines across the globe have reassured passengers leading to increased travelers,” Luggya added .

Other factors for the growth in numbers of people going through Entebbe airport included -the travel by pilgrims to and  from Mecca plus Ugandans  traveling to the Middle East for employment opportunities.  International conferences are back  and tourism numbers are rising too.

Adopted from: Uganda Update News September 23, 2022

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority(UCAA) in 2016 embarked on a $9.5million (Shs40billion) automation process that included the establishment and operationalization of  an Airport Operations Database (AODB), a Computerized Maintenance Management system (CMMS), and a Terminal Operations Control Centre (TOCC) at Entebbe International Airport.

On Thursday, the automated system was commissioned by the State Minister for Works and Transport Fred Byamukama.

Speaking at the event, Byamukama said the Ugandan government is committed to supporting and providing an enabling environment for the growth of the aviation industry in the country to spur economic development.

He noted that such projects like the automation of the airport show the commitment.

“This will help to improve on the security and safety of the airport. Now we can  easily monitor the surrounding of the airport because of the automation. This will save the aviation industry the expenditures they were making to deploy people to do this job,” Byamukama said.

“Efforts towards automation of systems, especially in the aviation industry ought to be applauded because embracing modern technologies reduces human interference and errors which is key in enhancement of safety.”

Byamukama said by  automating the  air navigation system of Entebbe Airport, Uganda is  enhancing  information sharing and coordination with pilots, other airports and also fulfil compliance with international provisions.

The State Minister for Works and Transport applauded President Museveni for inviting South Korean “friends” who funded the automation project through a grant  that cost shs40 billion and of this, Uganda paid only shs4 billion.

He noted that government attaches a lot of importance to the aviation industry because it guarantees the country direct international access and in turn promotes trade, tourism and social economic development.

To this, Minister Byamukama said government has concluded various Bilateral Air Service Agreements(BASAs) with several countries brining the current  total to 51, 27 of which are operation with the latest ones being with Finland, Colombia and Spain as well as reviewing previously existing BASAs with Italy , Belgium and Germany.

“The opening of new routes, revival of the Uganda Airlines and the ongoing development of a second international airport at Kabaale in Hoima district are all intended to accommodate current and future air traffic.”

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority Director General, Fred Bamwesigye, traffic at the airport has continued to grow as the aviation industry recovers from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He cited an example of last month ( Aug 2022) recorded the highest traffic  since the lockdown with  a total of 156,081 international passengers (73,899 arrivals and 82,189 departures) being handled at Entebbe International Airport.

“Airport improvements are moving targets. Whereas now we are carrying out expansion works for Entebbe International Airport to ensure the number of passengers we accommodate grows from two million per year to at least 3.5 million, we will continue to respond to pressures of expansion in the air business and move to six million passengers handled per year with time,” Bamwesigye said.

Underscoring the importance of the automation, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority(UCAA) boss said it will see Entebbe International Airport become one of the best not only in the region but in the world.

“Previously, the systems at the airport were not speaking together and we were automating them in parts. This project brought every system together so that you can see them at one touch. Air navigation systems, air traffic control systems, airport management systems, especially safety management systems and other airport systems in administration are now all synchronized and you can see each part at a go,” Bamwesigye told the Nile Post in a separate interview.

“The system is also now synchronized with security cameras all the time. You can now see what is happening in all corners of the airport in one go unlike before when we had separated systems. “

The UCAA boss said the Koreans have also trained Ugandans to use the system for effective use.

Bamwesigye explained that with time, even upcountry airports will be automated as part of the project.

Asked to explain how much will be saved by automating systems, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority boss explained that in aviation, security and safety are key, other than the amount of money saved.

“We can’t quantify in terms of money but rather in terms of efficiency . Because we are in the business of safety and security, when these improve and have very few cases of lapses, we call it a gain. “

Project

The automation works that started in 2016 were funded by the South Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

According to the Korean Ambassador to Uganda, Park Sung-soo, the project is testament to the close relations between Uganda and South Korea.

“This project has borne testament to the fruits of collaboration between Uganda and the Republic of Korea. Ultimately, the project is aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies and enhancing passenger experience which will also improve the rating of Entebbe International Airport by international aviation standards,” Sung- soo said.

The automation

The automation of the airport means there will be real-time monitoring of consumption and use of services like electricity and air condition through the computerized maintenance management system(CMMS) and will ease the burden on Uganda Civil Aviation Authority facility management staff.

This also means that maintenance and repair costs can be reduced by automatically checking key facilities in the airport.

The automation means that staff  at the Terminal Opetation and Control Centre(TOCC) can ably monitor the airport operation status in real-time, thereby enabling quick response to emergencies and failures.

The installation of the Air Traffic Services Message Handling Services (AMHS), a standard for aeronautical ground-ground communications as part of the automation means that Uganda’s aviation information processing system now meets the ICAO global standards.

The AMHS enables real-time sharing of key aviation information not only within six other aerodromes in Uganda but also with Kenya and Tanzania.

The automation has also seen the installation of an Air Traffic Control CCTV system that includes long range cameras along the two runways at the airports and covering what were hitherto, blind spots for air traffic controllers.

Also as part of the automaton ,100 outdoor and indoor cameras, two large LED boards for flight information display have been installed in the new passenger terminal building as well as two movable LED kiosks to allow passengers departing from the airport to check real-time flight information.

Adopted from: The Nile Post September 22, 2022