Uganda civil Aviation Authority to increase license fees for the aviation players so as to reach the region markets prices.
This was revealed by the Director General Fred .K. Bamwesigye at the workshop convene by the Author at to review the performance of the sub-sector and challenges faced in Covid-19 and post Covid-19 period as well as planning the way ford.
Bamwesigye while addressing journalist at Serena Hotel on March 10, 2023 just after the workshop said that the fees charged by the Authority are very low compared to those charged by regulators from other countries in the region.
“ The license fees are still very low and we have maintained because the sector and the whole economy have been recovering from Covid-19 effects. However we want to rise it to the East African level.’’ Bamwesigye said.
He also said that the board is in talks with government to see that some taxes like VAT are waived to make ticket prices attracting to the users of the facilities.
‘’ The sector is currently facing a number of challenges for instance the inadequate funding by government yet maintaining the Airport fields is very costly yet we don’t generate profits as of now.’’ He said.
He revealed that maintaining each Airstrip requires a minimum of UGX 3 billion yet the Authority has 13 up country Airports in addition to Entebbe International Airport and some facilities can spent a week without receiving any client landing on them and they continue to consume funds they don’t generate.
The Chairman of the Board Steven B.K Kavuma said that he will ensure that all players get involved and adhere to the internationally acceptable standards.
He also said that the board is devising means of tackling the evil of corruption so as to eradicate it and clean up the sector and attract more investment in the industry.
The head of marketing at Uganda Aviation Academy Erisa Kakiiza said that the cost of training students is very and there is a need for government to give subsidies to the players because the private sector plays a significant role in training of players ranging from cabin crew to people handling the service of ticketing and cargo.
In 2021 Uganda was no exception. It is, therefore, not surprising that international passengers were only 621,548 in the FY 2020/21 in comparison with the all-time high passenger traffic figure of 1,921,675 in the FY 2018/19.
By George Bukenya
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