ENTEBBE — The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), has launched a regional Airport Security Programme (ASP) Workshop aimed at strengthening aviation security across East Africa.
The workshop, which opened on Monday at Protea Hotel in Entebbe, has brought together aviation security experts, regulators and airport security personnel to enhance airport security programmes in line with international standards and emerging global threats.
Opening the workshop, UCAA Director of Airports and Aviation Security, Eng. Ayub Sooma, said the aviation industry is facing increasingly sophisticated security threats that require continuous adaptation and closer collaboration among stakeholders.
"As threats to the aviation industry become more sophisticated, so too must the approaches to preventing, detecting and responding to them," Sooma said.
He said the training reflects the shared commitment of UCAA, ICAO and CASSOA to maintaining high aviation security standards while ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, ground personnel and the public.
"This programme reflects our shared commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation security and ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, ground personnel and the general public," he added.
Sooma said aviation security is essential to maintaining public confidence in air transport and urged participants to use the workshop to exchange knowledge, share best practices and strengthen regional cooperation.
The workshop is being facilitated by experts from ICAO and CASSOA and focuses on strengthening airport security planning, improving risk assessment and enhancing compliance with international aviation security standards.
Participants are also expected to develop coordinated approaches to addressing emerging security risks and deepen collaboration among civil aviation authorities across the region.
UCAA says it has continued to strengthen aviation security at Entebbe International Airport through staff training, infrastructure improvements and implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
The workshop is expected to equip participants with practical skills and updated security strategies to improve preparedness and safeguard the region's aviation sector against evolving threats.