The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport's Maritime Department and the Uganda Red Cross Society, has concluded a week-long series of stakeholder sensitisation workshops on Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
The sensitisation drives, held between July 21 and 25, 2025, took place in Kanungu, Rukungiri, and Kasese districts. The workshops were part of UCAA’s national effort to strengthen the country's capacity to respond effectively to emergencies involving air and water transport incidents.
According to UCAA, coordinating and directing Search and Rescue operations is one of its core mandates. SAR services involve mobilising available resources to locate and assist persons in distress and provide initial medical and humanitarian relief.
Participants included district leaders, representatives from Uganda Police Force, security agencies, local hospitals, schools, the Uganda Prisons Service, National Forest Authority, Fisheries Department, Uganda Red Cross Society, the media, and technical teams from the Ministry of Works and Transport–Maritime and UCAA.
The workshops in each district were officially opened by the respective Resident District Commissioners (RDCs): Mr. Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire (Kanungu), Mr. Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe (Deputy RDC, Rukungiri), and Lt. Joe Walusimbi (Kasese).
The RDCs commended UCAA and its partners for spearheading the initiative, citing the critical role of community collaboration in emergency response.
They encouraged participants to relay the knowledge gained to wider communities and urged residents to report emergencies through proper communication channels.
District leaders also requested UCAA to consider organising follow-up workshops to include a broader section of local personnel.
The latest engagements are part of a broader national programme that has previously covered more than 20 districts, including Soroti, Moyo, Kabale, Kaabong, Kyotera, Kalangala, and Buliisa, among others.