The new vehicle parking fees at Entebbe Airport will take effect starting November 1, 2024.The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has announced.
According to the Authority, the adjustment is part of a broader effort to improve passenger experience by supporting ongoing upgrades at the airport, including improvements to infrastructure, facilities, and service efficiency.
This marks the first revision to the parking charges since October 2009, making it a long-overdue update in light of current economic conditions and operational demands.
Under the revised structure, saloon cars and station wagons will be required to pay UGX 5,000 for short-term parking, while larger vehicles such as lorries, trailers, and buses will pay UGX 10,000.
Additional hours beyond the initial period will attract a flat fee of UGX 1,000, regardless of vehicle category. For travelers who intend to leave their vehicles for extended durations, the long-term parking fee has been set at UGX 30,000 for the first day, and UGX 10,000 for each subsequent day.
However, to discourage the use of airport parking as a storage space, vehicles left beyond 30 days will be charged UGX 200,000 per day. The Authority recommends that vehicles should not be parked at the airport for more than 30 days.
The UCAA has clarified that the decision to revise the parking fees was not taken lightly. It comes in the context of rising operational costs and a growing need to upgrade airport services to meet modern standards.
According to Mr. Vianney Luggya, the Manager for Public Affairs at the UCAA, the revenue generated from parking is directly reinvested into improving infrastructure and services at Entebbe International Airport.
These include ongoing renovations to passenger terminals, resurfacing of runways and taxiways, and upgrades to the car park itself to ensure better flow, security, and user experience.
Although the announcement has drawn mixed reactions from the public (particularly on social media where some users have raised concern over the increased costs), the Authority maintains that the new rates are reasonable when weighed against the scope of planned improvements.
Some social media users questioned why parking fees are charged when the airport clearly states that vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk. Others humorously suggested the fees were becoming unaffordable for the average traveler, calling for a return to the older UGX 2,000 rate.
In response to the concerns, UCAA published a detailed flier showing the new rates and explained that different options, including provisions for frequent users, are available. They also encouraged the public to access more information through their website and official social media platforms.
UCAA Director General, Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, also addressed the matter, noting that the parking fees form a small but important part of a larger agenda to improve the airport.
He emphasized that Entebbe is experiencing a steady increase in passenger and aircraft traffic, which places additional pressure on existing infrastructure.
Between January and June 2024 alone, aircraft movements rose from 14,575 in the same period of 2023 to 15,223 in 2024. Such growth, he said, requires proactive planning, targeted investment, and financial resources that will ensure the airport can deliver the quality of service expected by travelers today.
The UCAA has in recent years embarked on a series of improvements aimed at aligning Entebbe International Airport with international aviation standards. These include the modernization of airport systems, expansion of facilities, and the integration of digital technologies to make services more efficient.
UCAA argues that if such upgrades are to be sustained and expanded, there must be a consistent flow of funds, and vehicle parking, as a support service, contributes to that goal.
While some members of the public may still have reservations about the changes, the authority has reassured travelers that every shilling collected from parking will be directed toward creating a more organized, safer, and convenient airport environment for all, believing that this step, though modest, is essential for keeping up with growing passenger demands and achieving long-term improvements that benefit both travelers and the aviation sector as a whole.
