Uganda Aviation Academy Ltd has announced plans to establish two new aviation training centres in Entebbe and Jinja, acquire eight training aircraft and install two advanced flight simulators as part of an ambitious expansion programme aimed at positioning Uganda as a leading aviation training hub in Africa.
The expansion programme, approved by the Academy’s Board of Directors chaired by Mrs Yogi Birigwa, is expected to strengthen the institution’s capacity to train pilots and other aviation professionals from Uganda and across the region.
According to a statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026, the project marks a major milestone in the Academy’s 15-year history and is intended to transform it into one of the leading comprehensive aviation training institutions in East and Central Africa.
The planned investment will include four two-seat, single-engine aircraft for basic flight training, two four-seat, single-engine aircraft for intermediate and advanced training, and two twin-engine aircraft for advanced commercial pilot training.
The Academy also plans to acquire two advanced flight simulators to support single-engine and multi-engine pilot training.
The new facilities are expected to support training programmes leading to Private Pilot Licences (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licences (CPL), Instrument Ratings (IR) and Multi-Engine Ratings, subject to regulatory approval.
The Academy says it is pursuing international partnerships and financing arrangements to facilitate the acquisition of the aircraft, simulators and other required training infrastructure.
Under the expansion plan, the Entebbe Training Centre will focus on airline operations, cabin crew training, aviation management, airport services, aviation safety and other professional aviation programmes.
Meanwhile, the Jinja Aviation Training Centre is expected to serve as a major practical flight training hub, featuring aircraft operations, flight simulators, ground-school instruction and technical training facilities.
The two centres are expected to increase student enrolment capacity, create employment opportunities and make professional aviation training more accessible to Ugandans and students from neighbouring countries.
Board Chairperson Yogi Birigwa said the expansion reflects the institution’s long-term ambition to develop into a centre of excellence in aviation education and professional training.
She said the investment in additional training centres, modern aircraft and flight simulators demonstrates the Academy’s commitment to quality education, international standards and the development of highly skilled aviation professionals.
Birigwa added that Uganda has enormous potential to become a regional aviation training hub serving East and Central Africa.
The Academy’s Executive Director, Rodney Mukula, who will oversee the implementation of the programme, described the expansion as a transformational investment in the future of aviation training in Uganda.
Mukula said the institution intends to provide affordable, accessible and internationally competitive aviation education while reducing the need for Ugandan students to seek expensive professional training abroad.
He said the Academy would work with international aircraft manufacturers, aviation training partners, financial institutions and regulatory authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
The institution also plans to introduce additional specialised aviation training programmes as part of its expansion strategy.
Beyond Uganda, the Academy’s longer-term plans include establishing specialised aviation training campuses in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Bujumbura, Burundi.
Within Uganda, the proposed network is expected to cover Entebbe, Jinja, Munyonyo, Ntinda and Mbarara.
The regional expansion is intended to attract students from East Africa, Central Africa and other parts of the continent, while strengthening Uganda’s position in the aviation education sector.
On aviation safety, the Academy said the expansion would comply with applicable requirements of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), while drawing on relevant international aviation training standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
It emphasised that new flight training activities would only commence after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals, aircraft certification and operational readiness assessments.
The expansion is also expected to contribute to the development of skilled Ugandan aviation professionals, employment creation, foreign exchange generation and technological advancement.
After 15 years of operations, Uganda Aviation Academy says the new investment marks the beginning of a new phase of institutional growth, with the ambition of making Uganda a leading destination for professional aviation training in Africa.
The institution operates under the motto, “AIM HIGH.”
