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Nabakooba also stressed the possibility of increased private sector investment in space science, technology, research, and innovation, including foreign direct investment and collaborations.

“Space science is new in Uganda, and we will seek to work with foreign countries like Russia, Japan, Israel, among others, that implemented space science before so that we can exchange knowledge and use their research as a benchmark to improve on ours.”

Mr. Chris Nsamba, Founder and CEO of the African Space Research Program, said if the satellite is launched, it will help improve weather forecasts used by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority.

“With the change in climate, sometimes the unpredictable weather has been delaying some flights from Entebbe International Airport. But when the satellite is launched, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority will have more accurate weather forecasts to allow flights to take off and land at the scheduled time,” Nsamba explained.

With the satellite launch in place, the government is also working on establishing an education network around space technology. This will see Ugandan space engineers trained in Uganda other than sending them to other countries for training. Makerere University recently started a teaching program in space technology.

President Museveni has emphasized the educational benefits of a space program —pointing to the new space technology program at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology.

“I have asked my officials to work closely with the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland regarding the space program. This will create an opportunity for having a space camp in Uganda,” Museveni said during his concluded 2021 State of the Union speech.

The Ministry of ICT has said the station will help in developing Uganda’s space capabilities in a well-coordinated and harmonized manner —projecting benefits such as;

• Increased evidence-based technology information for planning and decision-making.
• Improved Space Science and Technology infrastructure to support research for the industrial development of the country.
• Improved Defence and Security through improved capabilities for cross-border movement monitoring and surveillance.
• Increased Private Sector investment in space science, technology, research, and innovation.
• Increase in Public servants (Human Resources) to facilitate the development of space technology in Uganda.

There was no exact timeframe for the launch but all we know it will be in 2022 if all goes as planned.

Reporter’s Note: Article written with inputs from AGU PUBLICATIONS.

Adopted from: The PcTech Magazine July 3, 2021

Aviation, as the lifeblood of the global economy and a pillar of the most important cities in the world, has never been glaringly evident as it is today.

Its catalytic effect on industry, the potential for employment, as a vessel for business travel, transportation of goods and social connectivity, cannot be overstated. Across the world, it is now common for an entire city to be built with an airport at its core. Cities and trade hubs are increasingly becoming ‘aerotropolis’ or airport cities.

On July 1, 2020, seven municipalities of Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masaka and Mbale acquired city status overnight. Eight more are in the offing. While their broader economic benefits might be apparent, what is their implication to Uganda’s aviation industry?

The seven cities could be the spark to ignite the growth of the air transport industry, with a roll-on effect on the economy. With 500, 000 direct and indirect jobs so far created, Kenya and Tanzania are already reaping the benefits of developing robust domestic markets on the back of secondary cities and tourism hotspots. Imagine what just a fraction of these jobs would do for the current youth unemployment in the new cities.

The new cities should start creating structures aligned to the national aviation strategy to support air transport. For instance, cities like Masaka, Mbale and Fort Portal should be constructing two-kilometre runways with terminal buildings, offices, waiting areas and social amenities like wifi and toilets.

Bigger cities with airfields like Mbarara, Gulu and Arua should be considering expanding and upgrading them to regional airports that accommodate direct international traffic. Fortunately, these are already catered for upgrade in the 20-year National Civil Aviation Master Plan [2014-2033].

Airports, airlines and passengers do not operate in a vacuum. Their aeronautical benefits are obvious. Passengers stimulate local economies surrounding the airports, through direct and indirect jobs, businesses like suppliers, drivers, hotels and lodges that support aviation.

The ability of cities with good air-connectivity to receive international travellers directly by air cannot be overstated. It takes tourists, numerous hours to travel across the country to remote tourist attractions. If a tour operator like Abercrombie or Kent landed a Boeing 737 in Gulu city, it would take tourists a much shorter two-hour drive to Murchison Falls national park. If at Mbarara, the five-hour strenuous drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park would be shortened.

Upgrading Arua airport to handle small-to-medium airliners would plunge Arua city into a trade and humanitarian hub for Central African Republic, DR Congo and South Sudan. The city is already linking these countries by land. The same can be said of potential regional gateways like Jinja, Mbarara and Gulu, whose own local economies are yearning for such a catalyst.

To achieve this, local city authorities require an umbrella of a national mindset that advances the local aviation sector with a view to boosting the local economy. This needs deliberate interventions to be undertaken by the central government through the line ministry of Works and Transport and all stakeholders.

For the aviation potential to be achieved, we must break the red tape and barriers to setting up air transport companies and businesses. We need conducive and efficient environment for growth of such businesses. Why do our neighbours have hundreds of licensed domestic airlines and charter companies operating domestic and international routes, yet Uganda has a handful?

The central government must be encouraged to reduce or give tax holidays to investors looking to set up air transport companies in the country. The more the airlines, the greater the economies of scale for the average Ugandan traveller. Ugandans are gradually beginning to understand that time is money.

If the cost of air travel can be reduced or brought closer to that of driving an SUV to upcountry destinations, many would opt to fly instead of driving. For example, a businessman having breakfast in Arua flies two hours to Kampala, transacts business, loads cargo on a truck, has lunch, and flies back to  Arua for dinner, as opposed to taking two or three days, given the road, weather and traffic conditions.

With the revival of Uganda Airlines, expansions at Entebbe international airport can guarantee the long-term sustainability of the national airline if it has a domestic route network to support it. A traveller could book a flight from Mbarara to Dubai or Mumbai, or a tourist from Brussels can fly straight to Kisoro, avoiding the nightmare of traffic in Kampala or Masaka roads.

A domestic route network supports local businesses with market while also making the national carrier more competitive in the broader market. From the context of the current global pandemic where countries across the globe are easing up travel restrictions, it is in the same vein that domestic travel could bolster the national airline’s revenue streams and help it weather the storm better.

Some may argue that Uganda’s size doesn’t justify investment in multiple airports. However, if we want to grow our new cities into vibrant metropolises, business and industrial hubs, airports must be the focal point and aviation the pillar of growth. They will help decongest our narrow roads, reduce road rage and carnage, and connect our farmers’ produce to markets out of the country. Why wouldn’t a cargo plane fly our coffee from Arua to Europe or our tea from southwestern Uganda to regional markets in Africa and beyond?

Growing airport infrastructure requires a focused approach, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). It necessitates an airports authority independent from the Civil Aviation Authority who is the industry regulator.

An independent airports authority, unlike the current department under CAA, would be crucial now because of the increasing number of airports and forecasted passenger growth figures.

All that is needed is a government-led framework to actualize the required reforms. The Ugandan middleclass is growing. Businessmen and farmers will soon be able to switch to air transport. The airports authority would prevent any conflicts of interest between the regulatory and service provision, which would improve efficiency in airport operations.

Professional unions like the Uganda Professional Pilots Association (UPPA), the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, ministry of Works and Transport and the new cities with their leadership, need to sit down and deliberate on how to leverage these new opportunities into tangible gains for their respective economies and the whole country at large.

The author is a line pilot with Uganda Airlines and chairman of the Pilots General Assembly at the Uganda Professional Pilots Association

Adopted from: The Observer of April 15, 2021

KAMPALA — The Members of Parliament on the Committee of Physical Infrastructure have described as ‘excellent, the expansion works being done at Entebbe International Airport.

The MPs made these comments during a working visit to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) where they assessed the progress of the Entebbe International Airport rehabilitation phase (1) project.

“Judging by the quality and progress of work, it’s clear, we have seen value for money,” said Committee Chairperson Mr. Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko.

Ssekitoleko said that all members were impressed by the quality of work and said his committee is very ready to fund the Entebbe International Airport rehabilitation phase (2) project.

“We have invested heavily in the first [rehabilitation] phase and we have to finish this by availing funds for phase two works,” he said, noting that “we are satisfied with the money given to UCAA”.

The MPs toured the new hi-tech Cargo Centre, fuel storage farm facility, the new departure lounge, expansion of Aprons among others.

The committee approved the allocation of UGX 149.6 billion to UCAA in the financial year 2020/2021 as counterpart funding for the project.

The project was planned to run in two phases. The first one running from 2016 to 2021 and the second ending 2023.

The first phase worth UGX 1.1 trillion was driven by the rising number of passengers and cargo volumes handled at the airport and the need to improve customer experience, safety, security and comply with regulations.

Before the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Entebbe Airport was handling an average of 42,000 metric tonnes in 2019 and increased to 58,000 metric tonnes in 2020.

The Committee was appraised on the importance of the project by UCC chief engineer — Herbert Ngobi who revealed that the overall completion of the upgrade and expansion stands at 79%.

For example he said, the strengthening of runway 17/35 is complete while works at runway 12/30 stand at 98 percent and the strengthening works for apron 1 and 2 are above 80 percent.

He also noted that the construction of the new cargo center is at 90 percent.

The centre is expected to handle 100,000 tons of cargo every year. It will also have house cooling facilities, auxiliary business outlets and a freight forwarder’s parlour. It is projected that the cargo volumes will increase to 172,000 tons by 2033.

UCAA acting Director General Fred Bamwesigye said all these successes have been registered amidst the difficult situation of COVID-19.

He said that the pandemic has impacted aviation operations to the extent that commercial aircraft movement reduced from 32,798 in 2019 to 14,437 in 2020.

In January and February 2021, he said Entebbe International Airport recorded 2,838 aircraft movements.

This means, on average, the airport used to handle about 89 movements per day in 2019 which reduced to an average of about 39 per day in 2020.

“While in the beginning, [October-December], we allowed only one flight per airline per day, since January 2021, two flights have been permitted per airline per day and those with traffic have an opportunity to even increase the frequency,” Mr. Bamwesigye told MPs.

Adopted from: PML Daily March 17, 2021

Entebbe International Airport has registered an increase in the number of commercial aircraft movements per day with an average of 48 in January and Febraury2021.

“In January and February 2021, Entebbe International Airport recorded 2838 aircraft movements. On average, the airport used to handle about 89 movements per day in 2019, which reduced to an average of about 39 aircraft movements per day in 2020. The January and February 2021 average is so far 48 commercial aircraft movements per day. The pandemic impacted aviation operations to the extent that commercial aircraft movements reduced from 32,798 in 2019 to 14437 in 2020,” explained the Ag. Director-General Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Mr Fred Bamwesigye, during the visit of the parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure at UCAA headquarters on Tuesday.

He added: “While at the beginning (October-December 2020) we allowed only one flight per airline per day since January 2021 two flights have been permitted per airline per day and those with traffic have an opportunity to even increase the frequency. Although initial plans envisaged full resumption of operations in June 2021, this may be achieved earlier than anticipated depending on the availability of passengers. Therefore, we are engaged in all confidence-building measures that will attract passengers back to use air transport.” 

Mr Thomas James Kiggundu, the UCAA board member who represented the board chairman Justice Stephen Kavuma said the revenues from the industries have gone low since it is derived from commercial passenger operations which were halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“This automatically means some operations here have to stall. We, therefore, call upon the government to fill the gaps of the revenue at UCCA,” he said.

The chairperson of the parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure which oversees the activities of the ministry of works and transport, Eng Robert Kafeero Ssekitoleko, revealed that the parliament appropriated over Shs149 billion in the year 2020/2021 for the expansion and rehabilitation of Entebbe International Airport.Advertisement

“As a committee of parliament, we are here to perform our oversight function to see whether the funds we appropriated and sent to UCAA really did what it was supposed to do. So far so good; they have shown us the new cargo center, new fuel facility, expansion of Apron 1, rehabilitation runway 17/35 which has been strengthened and expanded,” he said.

Mr Ssekitoleko also noticed the expansion of the departure lounge which is almost ready and promised as the committee that they will appropriate more funds to facilitate phase two which will see the lighting of the runway among other projects. Advertisement

Adopted from: The Daily Monitor online Wednesday March 17, 2021

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has heard presentations from seven local airline operators who applied for the renewal of their operating licenses. The airlines defended their license renewal applications before the UCAA board licensing committee at head offices in Entebbe on Friday. 

“We had the opportunity to have seven applicants of the licenses. Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), under Section 6 (2) of the CAA Act Cap. 354 is responsible for the licensing of air transport services.  In addition, the Authority advises the government of the Republic of Uganda on matters related to the development of air services such as Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) and other air transport activities,” said Mr Thomas Kiggundu, the chairman board of the licensing committee.

“We have been able to hear presentations from; Kampala Executive Aviation, Grand Air Services Limited, AIM Air, DHL Aviation (Kenya) Limited, Eagle Air Limited, Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), and Transafrik Uganda Limited. We are glad that all the seven certified our requirements and we hope to renew their licenses in due course,” he said.

Eng Ronny Barongo, the Director Safety and Security at UCAA said that: “When we get an application of Air Service License (ASL), we seek to understand whether he/she is applying for a new license or renewal of the license. If he/she isn’t the first time applicant, we permit an application straight forward, but if the applicant is new, he or she gives an expression of interest we review it first,” he said.

He, however, noted that if the applicant isn’t conversant with what he is applying for, they invite the applicant and take him through the process and tell him the requirements.

“This is done to ensure that all operators in the aviation industry are properly certificated in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and recommended practices to enable them to continue operating,” he said.

Adopted from: The Daily Monitor Saturday March 6, 2021

At least seven local air operators are scheduled to defend the renewal of their air service licenses before the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
According to a statement issued UCAA on their twitter account and website, seven companies will defend their applications on March 5, 2021 before the UCAA board in a virtual public hearing open to members of the public.

“Notice is hereby given that the following firms have applied for the grant/renewal of an Air Service License,” the statement reads in part.
The management has also invited the public to attend this half day virtual event and advised them to send in their confirmation of participation by email before February 27, 2021.
The seven firms to defend their applications include Grand Air Services Ltd, Kampala Executive Aviation, DHL Aviation Limited, Transafrik Uganda Limited, Mission Aviation Fellowship, AIM Air and Eagle Air Limited.

This has been done to ensure that all operators in the aviation industry are properly certificated in accordance with international Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and recommended practices to enable them continue operating.
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It is a regulatory requirement that any air operator intending to undertake commercial operations (domestic or international) applies to UCAA for an operating license known as an Air Service License (ASL).
Every applicant at such a public hearing (including those seeking renewal) is expected to clarify on issues to do with their business plan, proposed air routes, and equipment to be used, among others.

Adopted from: The Daily Monitor Website Monday February 22, 2021.

 

 

 

 

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has issued new travel directives to passengers intending to fly from and to Entebbe International Airport following increasing number of people accessing the airport.
In a public notice dated December 18, 2020, UCAA directed that effective from Saturday December 19, 2020, departing and arriving passengers will only be dropped or picked from the airport by at most, two people, including the driver of the car in order to avoid unnecessary crowding at the airport.

“Departing passengers are also reminded to have an authentic and valid negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test certificate issued within 120 hours from the time of sample collection to the time of boarding the aircraft even if the country the passenger is going to does not require it. In case the destination country requires a COVID-19 PCR test certificate issued within less than 120 hours, the number of hours indicated by the destination country take priority,” said UCAA.
The notice further demands that the PCR test certificate should be accompanied with a receipt from the test centre or laboratory. UCAA also requires passengers to obtain the authentic and valid negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin issued within 120 hours from the time of sample collection to the time of boarding the aircraft leaving the country of origin.

Adopted from: Mulengera News December 20, 2020Mulengera News December 20, 2020Mulengera News December 20, 2020