UCAA DIRECTOR SAYS ENTEBBE IS READY FOR PRESIDENTIAL SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) says they are fully ready to receive International guests ahead of presidential swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 12.

UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye,

UCAA has worked with other government agencies and local organising committees to improve traffic management and expand aircraft parking space at Entebbe International Airport ahead of the ceremony.

Uganda expects about 65 foreign delegations for the event, with 32 already confirming their attendance.

“The swearing-in ceremony is a special occasion and the dignitaries coming, including Heads of State, deserve a warm reception beyond the usual arrangements,"Bamwesigye stated during the media interface in Kampala.

He said the preparations have been coordinated jointly with several security and logistical teams to ensure smooth handling of guests arriving in the country.

Bamwesigye however confirmed that the aviation sector is ready to handle Muslim pilgrims travelling to Mecca for Hajj starting today.

"Pilgrims will travel using several airlines, including Emirates and Ethiopian Airlines, among others,"he stressed.

According to UCAA officials Passengers have been advised to plan their journeys early due to the increased airport activity expected during the inauguration period.

On the ongoing upgrade of the country’s aviation infrastructure, UCAA management said Entebbe International Airport now meets most international standards, although some areas still require improvement however additional funding is needed to continue modernising Uganda’s airports.

“We still need more money to remodel our airports to fully meet international standards because we largely depend on the revenue generated from airport operations,” Bamwesigye said.

Uganda currently has three major airports, namely Entebbe International Airport, Kabalega International Airport, and Arua Airport.

Bamwesigye added that plans are also underway to establish an airport in Kasese after completion of the feasibility study.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is executing a 20-year National Civil Aviation Master Plan (2015-2033) primarily focused on modernizing Entebbe International Airport (EIA) to handle 6 million passengers annually by 2033. Key 2026 developments include launching a new 20,000-square-meter terminal building, expanding aprons for greater cargo capacity, and renovating upcountry aerodromes like Hoima.

Entebbe International Airport Expansion 

A new passenger terminal building is slated for phased opening starting in early 2026, significantly increasing capacity from 2 million to 3.5 million passengers per year.Infrastructure Upgrades: 

The expansion includes 24 new check-in counters, 14 self-check-in counters, and three additional aerobridges, bringing the total to five.Landside Development: A new Arrivals and Departure block is being developed by Seyani Brothers (U) Ltd to improve passenger comfort and convenience.Runways & Parking: Rehabilitation of runway 12/30 and the strengthening of parking aprons 1 and 2 are complete, enhancing capacity for larger aircraft.

In terms of Upcountry Airfields Improvement UCAA is Upgrading Airfields: Gulu, Arua, and Kasese are being upgraded to international status, with Arua and Kasese targeted to become 4C category airports capable of handling larger aircraft like the B737-500 series.

Hoima International Airport development is ongoing to support regional connectivity, with plans for it to be operational for the 2027 AFCON.