Authorities have confirmed the commencement of a comprehensive safety audit at Entebbe International Airport. The audit, conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), aims to assess compliance with international legal provisions related to safety and security.
This audit also evaluates the readiness of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) in terms of having qualified personnel and inspectors. It assesses the mandates of the UCAA and examines the current level of cooperation between civil and military entities to enhance the management and utilization of airspace.
Mr. Vianney Luggya, the manager of public affairs at UCCA, acknowledged the audit’s initiation but refrained from disclosing specific details. He emphasized the importance of waiting until the audit concludes before discussing its specifics, citing potential risks to the country’s interests during ongoing assessments.
Similarly, Ms. Sheila Ajok Lubangakene, the UCAA principal public affairs officer, declined to provide information, stating that they were instructed to wait until the audit’s completion in a few days.
The audit follows the recent establishment of a nine-member committee called the Civil Military Aviation Policy Board (CMAB). This committee has been tasked with evaluating the state’s compliance with international and national civil aviation regulations. The insights gathered by the CMAB are expected to contribute to the improvement of Uganda’s aviation industry.
The CMAB’s responsibilities include ensuring streamlined air traffic management, adherence to ICAO guidelines, and enhancing national aviation security. Successful audit results are anticipated to instill confidence in Uganda’s airspace within the international community and potentially lead to increased flights for Uganda Airlines.
ICAO, a global UN agency, primarily coordinates international air navigation principles and techniques while promoting the development of international air transport to ensure safety and growth. This involves ensuring global interoperability and harmonization of air traffic management (ATM) operational concepts through periodic audits of countries operating in the aviation industry.
In the 2017 Universal Security Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA), conducted by ICAO, Uganda performed reasonably well, achieving a score of 81.8 percent. This score exceeded the global average of 73 percent and the average for African and Indian Ocean (AFI) states, which was 58 percent. Following this audit, the government enacted relevant policies and laws, such as the Civil Aviation Act 2017 CAP354, to address remaining gaps in aviation security.
During the inauguration ceremony of CMAB members on August 17, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the minister of works and transport, highlighted the importance of harmonizing activities between civil and military aviation authorities to achieve ICAO’s strategic objectives.
ICAO issued the 2021 manual on Civil-Military Cooperation in Air Traffic Management (Doc 10088) just two years ago. This manual provides guidance for aviation authorities on establishing a CMAB to oversee the implementation of civil-military cooperation and coordination procedures.