Entebbe International Airport, located in Uganda, is in the process of expanding its capacity to handle 3.5 million passengers each year by the middle of 2024. This development was shared by Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, the Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure while they were visiting the airport. The expansion and improvements at Entebbe Airport are part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the facility.
A significant milestone in Uganda’s aviation industry was the recent Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA), which took place from September 6 to 18, 2023. This audit, conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), assessed Uganda’s safety oversight systems to ensure they align with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). The preliminary results of this audit, released on September 18, 2023, indicated a score of 72.17% for Uganda, signifying substantial progress. This score not only exceeded the regional/Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) region’s average of 55.66% but also surpassed the global average of 67.68%. The positive results reflect Uganda’s commitment to complying with ICAO standards in aviation safety.
The evaluation considered Uganda’s performance in eight critical elements (CEs) of the State Safety Oversight System and compliance with ICAO SARPS in eight audit areas. These areas included Primary Legislation, Organisation, Personnel Licensing, Flight Operations, Airworthiness, Aircraft Accident Investigation, Air Navigation Services, and Aerodrome and Ground Aids. Notably, Uganda did not register any significant safety concerns during the audit.
The upgrades at Entebbe Airport include the expansion and modernization of the airport, a project worth USD 9.5 million, carried out in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This project, completed in September 2022, introduced several improvements such as the Airport Operations Data Base (AODB), Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), Terminal Operations Control Center (TOCC), ATS Message Handling System (AMHS), Flight Information Display Screens (FIDs), CCTV, and various system support components. Additionally, ATM Procedures have been optimized, enhancing arrival approach, departure, and en-route procedures.
Mr. Bamwesigye also revealed that as part of the terminal building’s re-modification, the departures area expansion has been finalized and is in partial use, with the main entrance to the building set to open soon. This development will provide departing passengers with convenient drop-off points at the terminal building’s entrance. Furthermore, an arrivals component of the project is underway to create a more spacious and comfortable environment for departing passengers. Upon the completion of these infrastructure upgrades, the terminal’s capacity will be increased from its current 2 million passengers per year to at least 3.5 million passengers by July 2024.
The Director General highlighted that passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport has been steadily increasing as the aviation industry recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, in September 2023, the airport recorded 80,701 arriving passengers and 90,605 departing passengers, totaling 171,306 passengers, averaging 5,710 passengers per day. From January to September 2023, the airport facilitated 1,390,495 passengers, demonstrating an 87% recovery compared to 2019’s 1,170,744 passengers. In 2022, the total number of passengers reached 1,574,405, compared to 1.8 million international passengers in 2019, indicating a significant recovery level.
