(Entebbe) – Entebbe International Airport has recently welcomed the addition of two new fire fighting trucks, bringing the total number of fire trucks at the airport to six. The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) reports that seven more fire trucks are stationed at various upcountry aerodromes.
Rev. Samuel Atabua, the chief fire officer at Entebbe airport, explained that the new trucks feature specialized chassis and are capable of carrying significant amounts of water and foam. Each truck is equipped with a foam induction system that can draw foam directly from drums, with a throw range of 100 meters.
The Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, announced that the two fire trucks were procured at a cost of 10.5 billion Ugandan Shillings to enhance aviation safety at the airport. He emphasized the importance of these additions in light of two recent international safety and security audits. “We are thus implementing corrective action plans in preparation for future audits which check on the level of compliance with international standards and recommended practices,” he stated during the commissioning event.
The new trucks have impressive capacities: one can carry 12,500 liters of water and 1,500 liters of foam, while the other can carry 10,500 liters of water and is equipped with high reach extendable turrets designed to penetrate an aircraft’s body if necessary. Gen. Katumba noted that to maintain operating category nine for Entebbe airport, regulations require having 24,300 liters of water available on site. The two new trucks provide a combined capacity of 23,000 liters, which supports the existing fire-fighting fleet.
Fred Bamwesigye, the UCAA Director General, indicated that the trucks were supplied by the East African distributors of the Madhvan Group, which is the sole distributor of NAFFCO products in Uganda. He also shared that 72 aerodrome rescue and fire fighting staff recently completed a two week course on the operation and maintenance of the new foam tenders. “As the industry grows with advances in technology, firefighting and rescue operations become more complicated and challenging, thus the need to train and equip personnel with the knowledge and skills to match emerging technologies in fire and marine operations,” Bamwesigye explained.
The UCAA remains committed to investing in research, equipment, and staff training to align with the required safety and security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Eng. Ayub Sooma, the director for airports safety and security, noted that the UCAA had previously acquired new fire fighting boats and other essential equipment.
Currently, the overall upgrade and expansion of Entebbe airport is 94% complete, with the new terminal building expected to reach 74% completion by December 2024. Following the commissioning of the fire trucks, Gen. Katumba, along with the Minister of State for Transport, Fred Byamukama, inspected the ongoing construction work at the airport.
The UCAA has reported an increase in passenger and cargo traffic at Entebbe International Airport. In September 2024, a total of 188,710 passengers were recorded, with 100,350 arriving and 88,360 departing. This represents an average of 6,290 passengers per day, up from 5,710 passengers per day in September 2023. The airport also handled 5,739 metric tonnes of cargo, including 3,701 metric tonnes of exports and 2,038 metric tonnes of imports. The UCAA highlighted that air transport plays a vital role in social-economic development, influencing various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, and oil and gas.
