UCAA Hosts Continental Workshop to Strengthen Fair Competition in Africa’s Air Transport Sector

The Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, officially opened a three-day capacity-building workshop on “Drafting, Revising, and Implementing Competition Regulations in Air Transport Services in Africa” at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday May 6, 2026.

The workshop, organized by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in partnership with the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law and funded by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, is running from May 6–8, 2026. It forms part of ongoing efforts to operationalize the Single African Air Transport Market under the Yamoussoukro Decision.

In his remarks, Mr. Bamwesigye emphasized that while liberalization has opened up Africa’s skies, “open skies must be matched with fair competition,” noting that strong regulatory frameworks are essential to prevent market distortions, safeguard consumer interests, and ensure a level playing field for airlines.

He reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to building a fair, transparent, and competitive aviation sector, highlighting key milestones including the enactment of a Competition Act in 2024, the establishment of a Consumer Protection Unit within UCAA, and the development of draft competition and consumer protection regulations aligned with continental frameworks.

Although Uganda is not yet a full member of SAATM, he noted that the country is taking deliberate steps toward accession, including ongoing consultations and preparations for Cabinet consideration.

The workshop brings together aviation regulators, legal experts, and representatives from Regional Economic Communities across Africa among others. It seeks to strengthen technical capacity, enhance understanding of legal and economic principles, improve coordination among institutions, and promote harmonized approaches to enforcing competition regulations in line with continental standards.

Through a mix of technical sessions, comparative legal analysis, and hands-on drafting exercises, workshop participants will develop practical tools and frameworks to support the effective implementation of competition regulations across African air transport markets.

Mr. Bamwesigye also commended AFCAC and its partners for their continued efforts in strengthening Africa’s regulatory capacity and called on all SAATM signatory states to take decisive action toward full implementation for the benefit of the continent’s aviation growth and integration.