NTUNGAMO/ISINGIRO – The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Maritime Department, recently held search and rescue sensitization workshops in Ntungamo and Isingiro districts.
The workshops, conducted on February 11th and 12th, 2025, aimed to educate the public and key stakeholders on how to respond to air and water emergencies.
The training emphasized the importance of community involvement in search and rescue operations, a national obligation that requires utilizing available resources to locate, extract, and provide aid to those in distress.
Participants included representatives from the Uganda Police, local government, medical personnel, headteachers, and the Uganda Red Cross.
Speaking at the Ntungamo workshop, David Mwitabangoma, Principal Air Traffic Management Officer – Search and Rescue at UCAA, highlighted the district’s significance due to the high volume of international flights passing through. He stressed the need for preparedness to prevent and manage aircraft accidents.
Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner Isaiah Kanyamahane commended UCAA for its efforts and emphasized the importance of community collaboration in emergency response. He urged residents to report emergencies through proper channels.
Local leaders, including Rweikiniro Sub County Chairperson Sebastian Bitariho, pledged to extend sensitization efforts to the grassroots level and requested government investment in local aviation infrastructure, including an airfield, to improve emergency response and showcase the district.
Alexander Black Babimpa, a senior air traffic controller at Gulu Airport, called for the integration of aerodrome emergency planning into local government budgets to ensure structured responses to aviation incidents.
The workshops underscore UCAA’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety nationwide and empowering communities to play a vital role in mitigating air travel emergencies.
