UCAA Holds Public Hearing for New Air Operators

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has reiterated its commitment to fuel Uganda’s socio-economic transformation by ensuring the growth of trade and tourism as key economic drivers.

This was revealed on Friday, November 7, 2025, by Hon. Justice Steven Kavuma, Chairman of the UCAA Board of Directors, during a high-level engagement in Kampala between the Authority and air transport operators. During the engagement, many sought to renew their licenses, while others applied to acquire operating licenses.

Besides Justice Kavuma, the UCAA Board members at the meeting included Hassan Musinguzi, the Acting Director General of UCAA, who was flanked by Mr. Lubowa Moses Paul,  Christopher Kasozi (Acting Director of Safety and Security and Economic Regulation), John Bulindi, Ms. Sylvia Namubiru and Ms. Moreen Agaba, the Acting Corporate Secretary.

Some of the companies that sought to renew their licenses included: Asante Air,  GNA Africa Air Cargo, Oli Fuels,  Airserve and others, while those that applied for licenses to operate are: Kampala Executive Aviation, Flight Training Center and Aerojet Uganda Limited.

In his opening remarks, Justice Kavuma lauded the UCAA  for having worked so hard to ensure that Uganda got elected to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for the 2025-2028 term during the 42nd ICAO General Assembly that was held in Montreal, Canada, in September 2025.

He noted that with 155 votes out of the 185 votes cast, “Uganda received strong international endorsement reaffirming its growing influence in shaping global aviation policy.”

As the highest decision-making body of ICAO, the Council is responsible for establishing international standards and recommended practices that govern civil aviation worldwide.

Bolstering Trade and Tourism Growth

Justice Kavuma highlighted that whenever the UCAA renews licenses for existing operators or approves new ones to join the industry, it directly impacts domestic and international passenger traffic, as well as cargo volumes, thereby ultimately contributing to increased revenue in the country.

Speaking about the increase in passenger traffic, Justice Kavuma said, “In relation to traffic, Entebbe International Airport (EIA) recorded a total of 64,142 more passengers in the first half of this year (January to June 2025) than was recorded in the same period of January to June 2024. The Airport recorded a total of 1,133,336 international passengers; 550,439 arrivals and 582,927 departures (Jan-June 2025) compared to a total of 1,069,224 (Jan-June 2024), which is an average of 6,296 passengers per day.”

He noted that the figures represent a year-on-year growth of 4.3 percent in arrivals and 7.6 percent in departures.

Justice Kavuma also underscored the rise in cargo traffic, saying, “Cargo traffic increased during the first half of the year, with the airport handling 22,844 metric tonnes  of exports and 10,778 metric tonnes of imports, totalling 33,622 metric tonnes.”

“This compares to 22,380 tonnes of exports and 10,414 tonnes of imports recorded between January and June 2024, representing a 2.1 percent increase in exports and a 3.5 percent increase in imports,” he added.

He observed that, more recently, in September 2025, Entebbe International Airport facilitated a total of 226,301 international passengers, an average of 7,543 per day, noting that the statistics vividly indicate growth in the aviation industry, which will ultimately contribute to economic transformation.

In his remarks, the Acting D.G., Mr. Musinguzi, revealed that the UCAA has undertaken several strategic investments aimed at bolstering the capacity of Entebbe International Airport to handle more cargo and passengers.

He highlighted the newly completed 20,000 square-meter Passenger Terminal Building, which is yet to be opened to the public.

“The passenger terminal features three additional aerobridges, bringing the total to five, along with 24 new check-in counters, complementing the existing 22, and it will also have 14 self-check-in counters,” Musinguzi said.

He revealed that once commissioned, which is expected to be at the end of this year, the terminal’s capacity will increase from the current 2 million passengers per year to at least 3.5 million passengers annually.

He revealed that the UCAA is also undertaking the improvement and upgrading of aerodromes across the country to empower the various regions where they are situated.

“H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni commissioned the upgrade works at Jinja Airfield in January this year. The improvements include a runway, taxiway, and apron. Upon completion, the tarmacked runway will measure 30 meters in width and 1,710 meters in length, while the expanded apron will be able to accommodate six LET 410 aircraft,” Musinguzi said.

He revealed that the UCAA is also upgrading works on Soroti Airport, Arua Airport, Gulu Airport, Pakuba and Moroto Aerodromes, plus finalising works on Kabalegea International Airport, which will be pivotal to the oil and gas sector, and the promotion of tourism.

He noted that one of UCAA’s biggest achievements is the transition of Air Navigation Services from reliance on only terrestrial navigation to also using satellite-based navigation systems in all phases of flights.

 He underscored that while terrestrial facilities are still important, new technology emphasises using satellite-based systems under the Performance Based Navigation (PBN) to improve safety, efficiency and capacity.

In his concluding remarks, Musinguzi also reiterated UCAA’s commitment to promoting sports in Uganda, noting that, having facilitated the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), the Authority is now ready to facilitate Uganda to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania.