Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening aviation safety, security, and facilitation across the East African Community (EAC) as it hosts the 48th East African Consultative Meeting on Facilitation of Air Transport (EAC FAL) at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The three-day meeting, running from 26–28 November 2025, has drawn delegates from EAC Partner States, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the African Union Commission, CASSOA, airport authorities, airlines, security agencies, and other aviation stakeholders.
Acting Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Olive Birungi Lumonya, welcomed delegates and applauded the consultative mechanism for strengthening compliance with ICAO Annex 9 (Facilitation). She noted that Annex 9 remains central to enabling the efficient movement of aircraft, passengers, cargo, and mail across the region.
Lumonya highlighted Uganda’s progress in implementing Annex 9 standards, reaffirmed by the country’s strong performance in the ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) conducted in 2024.
“Compliance with Annex 9 has greatly improved border security, enhanced passenger experience, and supported economic growth,” she said.
Lumonya revealed continued growth in passenger numbers at Entebbe International Airport, which registered 1.13 million international passengers in the first half of 2025—an increase of 4.3% in arrivals and 7.6% in departures compared to the same period in 2024.
To meet growing demand, she outlined several infrastructure projects underway, including the expansion of the passenger terminal from a 2 million to a 3.5 million annual passenger capacity, strengthening of Runway 12/30, rehabilitation of aircraft parking aprons, and development of a fuel farm with capacity for 23 million litres of aviation fuel.
She also referenced the new Hoima International Airport, currently under construction to support the Albertine Graben oil refinery project.
The Minister for Works and Transport Gen Edward Katumba Wamala underscored the EAC FAL’s role in harmonizing civil aviation policies and strengthening regional air transport services.
He said the annual consultative platform remains important for reviewing compliance with ICAO standards, improving service delivery at regional airports, and enhancing cooperation in aviation safety, security, and economic regulation.
“The outcomes of this meeting will guide improvements in air service clearance, standards implementation, and efficiencies in the movement of aircraft, passengers, and cargo,” Katumba said.
He emphasized Uganda’s growing role as a regional aviation hub, citing Entebbe’s August 2025 traffic figures of 243,089 international passengers and 5,257 metric tonnes of cargo.
The Minister also highlighted the resurgence of Uganda Airlines—now serving 17 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the UK—as a catalyst for trade, tourism, and regional integration.
The meeting will generate recommendations for Partner States, evaluate progress on previous resolutions, and provide policy guidance in line with ICAO Annex 9 and the EAC Treaty.
