Justice Dr. Steven Kavuma the CAA board chairperson addressing participants in the Stakeholders meeting
As Uganda is preparing to host the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit and G77 meeting, Entebbe International Airport will get an independent management as a separate entity from the Civil Aviation Authority the regulator.
In a Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting the Aviation Specialist and Consultant Mr. Barry Kashambo said that it’s important to have the management of the Airport separate from the regulator for better efficiency and effectiveness.
The Minister for Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala warned Civil Aviation Authority management not to become complacent now that Uganda ranked high in EAC and Sub-Saharan region in terms better infrastructures for the international Airports.
Gen Katumba made the warning while presiding over the engagement that occurred in Kampala and said that 72.17% scored my significantly fall even below the pass mark if the regulators and management of the Airport become complacent.
The minister acknowledged the negative reporting by Journalist that has happened against the Airport thatn it has help government to improve the facility and this is one of the many reasons that has help to improve and score highly in the EAC region.
“ We should be able to score above 80% because we have what it takes to achieve that. But we must not relax we ought to work hard to improve on the security matters such that by the time ICAO comes back our ranking would have improved further.’’ Gen. Katumba tasked the CAA management.
Uganda scored 72.17% after ICAO’s evaluation of her effectiveness in the implementation of the eight critical elements (CEs) of the State Safety Oversight System, as well as compliance with ICAO SARPs in eight audit areas, including Primary Legislation, Organization, Personnel Licensing, and Flight Operations.
The Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye expressed the redness of both the Entebbe and Kabalega International Airport in hosting the visitors’ aero planes.
“ After refurbishing, Entebbe International Airport is now able to host slightly more than 70 Airbuses at a time even the handling of cargo has improved after completing the new ware house building.’’ Mr. Babwesigye said.
He also informed reporters that the UPDF Engineering Brigade that was contracted to refurbish the Entebbe Airport will be handing over the completed work this week and next week it will be opened fully.
The CAA board chairman, Hon. Justice Dr. Steven B.K Kavuma said that its importance to have Stakeholder engagements because they help to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service provision.
It’s important to recall that the pinnacle of Aviation Week is the International Civil Aviation Day, observed every December 7th. Inaugurated in 1994 on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Chicago Convention, this led to formation of ICAO.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka last month outlined the city’s comprehensive preparations for the upcoming (NAM) Summit where she said that all roads linking to meeting venue and hotels will be fully repaired before the end of December.
By George Bukenya