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Entebbe International Airport hosts Inaugural Safety Week

Entebbe International Airport held its first Safety Week starting November 11 to 15, 2024, with an opening address by the Director General of UCAA. He emphasized the collective responsibility of maintaining aviation safety and the need for a sustained, positive safety culture among all airport stakeholders.

During the event, the Hazard Identification and Reporting Tool was launched, enabling stakeholders to easily report hazards or safety concerns. This tool aims to streamline reporting and promote proactive safety measures.

Key Activities & Highlights

🔹 Press Briefing & Stakeholder Engagement
A joint press briefing was conducted by the Director General, Deputy Director General, and the Mayor of Entebbe to raise public awareness of aviation safety and its impact on travelers and the local community.

🔹 Panel Discussion on Land-Use & Wildlife Hazard Management
A session on land-use planning and wildlife hazard management featured presentations and a panel discussion. Key outcomes included:

  • UCAA’s Role in Planning Committees – The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be co-opted onto the Municipal Physical Planning and Building Committees to integrate airport safety considerations.
  • Airport Master Planning – CAA will collaborate with Entebbe Municipality to prevent encroachment and ensure sufficient land for future infrastructure.
  • Community Engagement on Safety Issues – Ongoing efforts will focus on local concerns, such as waste management and fishing practices that impact airport operations.

🔹 Emirates Safety Day & FOD Walk
On Day 3, Emirates Airlines, in collaboration with UCAA, led a Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Walk on the apron, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean operational areas. The Head of Safety at Emirates presented an overview of the four components of Safety Management Systems (SMS), followed by a quiz and prize distribution. The event reinforced the principle of “doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

🔹 Airport Safety Inspections
Day 4 featured inspections of key airport facilities, including the Fire Station, runways, taxiways, and the Control Tower. This exercise strengthened inter-agency coordination and provided stakeholders with a deeper understanding of their respective roles.

🔹 Community Engagement at Nakiwogo Market
On the final day, a Face-to-Face Community Engagement session was held at Nakiwogo Market. Discussions covered:
✔ Noise Pollution – The airport addressed community concerns and highlighted ongoing noise reduction initiatives.
✔ Waste Management – Stakeholders committed to improving garbage disposal practices to reduce bird hazards, and waste was collected on-site.

Participation & Impact

Over 300 participants from 30 organizations attended, including airlines (Emirates, Uganda Airlines, Qatar Airways), ground handlers (Menzies, DAAS Handling), air navigation service providers (ANSP), fuel companies (Total Energies), and other key stakeholders.

As Safety Week 2024 concluded, UCAA and Emirates Airlines were commended for their leadership and commitment to fostering a strong safety culture. The event provided a platform for greater collaboration, enhanced community engagement, and improved awareness of safety hazards and mitigation strategies.

Going forward, the insights and commitments from this week will serve as a foundation for continued safety and efficiency improvements at Entebbe International Airport.