Africa-Press – Uganda. Three operators have applied for licences to operate air services in Uganda. Flight Training Centre, Kampala Executive Aviation, and Aero Jet on Friday made their case for grant of licences before the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) board that held a public hearing at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala as they sought to bring specialized services to Uganda’s aviation ecosystem, including pilot training, charter operations, and business aviation.
The session was chaired by the UCAA Board Chairperson, retired Justice Steven Kavuma, who led the Board Air Services Licensing Committee, assisted by Acting Director General Hassan Musinguzi, Acting Director of Safety and Security Christopher Kasozi, Acting Director of Corporate Operations Moreen Agaba, and board members John Mulimbi, Sylvia Namubiru, and Kalule.
Justice Kavuma emphasized that the licensing forum is a vital mechanism for ensuring order, transparency, and growth within Uganda’s aviation industry.
“This forum provides a vital platform for us to engage with our aviation partners, to reflect on our collective progress, and to strengthen the framework for service provision within Uganda’s dynamic aviation industry,” he said.
He noted that the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, under its legal mandate, licenses all air transport services and advises the government on aviation development, including air service agreements and international cooperation.
“Today’s meeting will consider three new applicants for air service licensing. In full compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations, these applications were publicly advertised, and we are grateful to those who have joined us for this public hearing,” he added.
Currently, Uganda’s aviation sector has 25 licensed air operators offering services ranging from scheduled and non-scheduled flights to private operations, training, and aerial works.
The addition of new entrants, Kavuma said, would not only diversify services but also enhance competition and innovation in the industry.
The acting UCAA Director General Hassan Musinguzi hailed the applicants’ interest in joining Uganda’s aviation space, describing it as a sign of confidence in the country’s growing aviation market.
“Discussions at such forums are aimed at shaping and determining the future of Uganda’s aviation industry, with particular emphasis on safety, security, and efficiency in service delivery,” Musinguzi said.
He explained that the public hearing process promotes accountability and fairness, as it gives both new and existing operators and members of the public, a chance to present their views before any licenses are issued or renewed.
“The authority strives to create a level playing field for all operators, while encouraging fair competition, innovation, and consumer protection,” he noted.
Musinguzi also highlighted Uganda’s growing influence in global aviation governance, revealing that the country had been elected to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council for the 2025–2028 term, receiving 155 out of 185 votes.
“Uganda’s election to the ICAO Council reaffirms our commitment to advancing safe, secure, and sustainable air transport globally,” he said.
Recent UCAA statistics show consistent growth in passenger and cargo traffic. Entebbe International Airport recorded 1,133,336 international passengers between January and June 2025, a 6.3% increase from the same period in 2024.
Cargo volumes also rose to 33,622 metric tonnes, reflecting higher exports and imports.
Musinguzi attributed this growth to improved infrastructure, including the soon-to-be-commissioned 20,000-square-meter Passenger Terminal Building at Entebbe, which will expand capacity from 2 million to 3.5 million passengers annually.
He added that ongoing upgrades at Jinja, Soroti, Arua, Gulu, Kisoro, and Kabalega airports demonstrate UCAA’s commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and readiness for major upcoming events like the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
Musinguzi urged operators to embrace technological advancement in aviation, noting that UCAA has transitioned from reliance on ground-based navigation systems to satellite-based systems under the Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) model.
“The aviation industry is now highly reliant on technology. Operators must be innovative and embrace modern systems to enhance safety and efficiency,” he said.
Justice Kavuma further congratulated stakeholders for their continued progress and commitment to the sector’s recovery and growth after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is even more encouraging to note that we are recording this just after the COVID-19 phenomenon. The achievements we have made as a country and as an industry are commendable,” he said.
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