Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Elizabeth Kamurungi
Published on 2024-02-01 18:30:00
The Civil Aviation Amendment Act, 2023, was passed by the Parliament of Uganda on February 1, just a day after it was tabled. This comes as Uganda rushes to meet the requirements for an ongoing audit into the safety and security of the country’s aviation, which includes the Entebbe International Airport and Uganda Airlines.
Minister for Works and Transport, General Katumba Wamala, emphasized the importance of meeting international standards in order to position Uganda Airlines as a hub in the region. Addressing the gaps in compliance with international standards is crucial, especially given the ongoing audit into the country’s aviation safety and security.
Uganda is currently undergoing the Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP), which monitors compliance with the safety and security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), to which Uganda is a signatory. The ICAO is a United Nations agency established to develop policies, standards, and undertake compliance audits.
The new law, the Civil Aviation Amendment Act, 2023, aims to address deficiencies uncovered by an earlier audit, the Universal Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), also conducted by ICAO in September 2023. General Wamala emphasized the urgency of passing the law to prevent potential international reputational damage to the country’s aviation sector, including the Uganda Airlines.
He warned that failure to address the identified gaps in the Civil Aviation Act could lead to adverse audit findings, potentially resulting in a significant safety concern. A finding of significant safety concern could send a notice to the world that it is unsafe to travel to Uganda or travel by air to Uganda, or on any aircraft registered in Uganda.
The USOAP focuses on eight key areas: legislation, organization, licensing, operations, airworthiness, accident investigation, air navigation services, and aerodromes. Auditors scrutinize players approved by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, including airlines, airports, and training institutions, to assess compliance with global aviation industry requirements.
Once the law receives presidential assent, it will establish a special unit responsible for comprehensive surveillance of the aviation industry and assessing the impact of safety and security-related decisions on aviation safety and security at all levels.
Additionally, the law prescribes tough penalties for acts of violence on board an aircraft in flight, destruction or damage of an air navigation facility, interference with its operations, and communication of false information endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight.
The passing of the Civil Aviation Amendment Act, 2023, demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to addressing deficiencies in its aviation sector and meeting international safety and security standards. This is a critical step in safeguarding the reputation and safety of Uganda’s aviation industry, including the Entebbe International Airport and Uganda Airlines, as the country moves towards becoming a regional aviation hub.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
