Kiri

1

The Republic of Uganda

AIDE MEMOIRE

UGANDA’S CANDIDATURE FOR COUNCIL IN PART III AT 42ND SESSION OF ICAO

ASSEMBLY

Membership to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Uganda ratified the Convention on International Civil Aviation in 1967 and has since

remained an active Member State of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

and totally committed to the promotion of safe, secure, efficient and sustainable

development of international civil aviation. Her experts have actively participated in the

Council, Air Navigation Commission, Panels, Working Groups, Universal Audit

Programmes, thus contributing to the realisation of ICAO Strategic Goals.

Civil Aviation as a Strategic Pillar for Economic Development

Reliable civil aviation is a pillar for socio-economic development because it provides

regional and global connectivity, which stimulates the growth of tourism and trade by

enhancing supply chain resilience and easy movement of people and goods.

Tourism

Popularly known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is a beautiful country endowed with

natural tourist attractions which include breathtaking landscapes, featuring picturesque

snow-capped mountains, the source of the Nile (the world’s longest river), expansive

game parks that provide the home for an amazing diversity of animal species including

more than half of the world’s remaining gorillas. For the safari lovers Uganda offers an

incredible experience to trek the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest and to spot the

2

“big five” in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Parks. To harness

this huge tourism potential, well-developed and reliable aviation services are necessary.

Trade

With its conducive weather and fertile soils, in addition to the renowned coffee, Uganda

is famous for the export of high-value agricultural produce, notably freshwater fish, cut

flowers, tropical fruits, etc. These products constitute a significant portion of the

Country’s international trade and are heavily dependent on efficient air services to get

into their markets in Europe, the Middle East other parts of the world.

Connectivity for Easy Movement of People and Goods

For Uganda, air transport provides the fastest and most reliable gateway for the people

and goods to the rest of the world.

Tourism, international trade and connectivity underpin the significance of sustainable,

reliable and affordable air services to the socio-economic development of Uganda. This

is why the Government is fully committed to ensuring the safe, secure, efficient and

sustainable development of air services through compliance with ICAO SARPs and the

global aviation plans. As part of the national strategy, major airports and air navigation

services have been modernised and expanded to handle the several and growing

number of regional and international airlines operating to and from Uganda. Additionally,

the national carrier has been restructured and equipped with modern aircraft to enhance

regional and intercontinental air connectivity.

Prioritisation and Promotion of International Civil Aviation

Being a landlocked Country, an efficient air transport system is a critical enabler for

national economic growth and has consequently been given high priority in the Vision

2040 and other strategic plans of Uganda. High-level and tactical measures have been

taken to stimulate sustainable growth of aviation, which inter alia include:

• Enactment of enabling national legislation for the effective implementation of

ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and ratification of

conventions and protocols as well as agreements relating to international civil

aviation,

3

• Supporting ICAO’s programmes through short-term secondments to enhance

safety, security and sustainable development of international civil aviation,

• Commitment to:

➢ International consensus-building and fair and equal opportunities for all

Contracting States of ICAO through adherence to the principles and spirit

of the Convention on International Civil Aviation,

➢ Compliance with SARPs and other international requirements. The

outcomes of the universal safety and security audit conducted by ICAO in

2023 and 2024 have respectively confirmed high levels of aviation safety

and security performance.

➢ Objectives and goals of the global aviation plans, Africa comprehensive

implementation plans, No Country Left Behind initiative, and other

programmes that may be adopted by and through ICAO for the

sustainable growth of civil aviation.

Embracing Continental and Regional Liberalization Civil Aviation Initiatives

Uganda has embraced liberalisation of air transport industry to encourage healthy

competition and good quality of air services that meet the expectations of the

stakeholders. The overarching liberalization policy enables among others, signing of

bilateral air services agreements which contain “open skies” provisions, relaxation of

restrictions relating to the freedoms of the air, market access aspects such as

ownership and control of airlines by foreign nationals, doing business such as ground

handling, capital investments in airports and other aviation infrastructure and services.

To facilitate foreign investments in national airlines, Uganda has ratified the Cape Town

Convention and Protocol.

Regional and International Cooperation

Uganda actively promotes regional integration and is committed to collaboration and

pooling of resources at the regional level to enhance aviation oversight through

mechanism s such as regional safety oversight organisations (RSOOs). This is a very

effective cooperative arrangement for strengthening the aviation safety and security

oversight especially in developing countries where resources are constrained.

4

Uganda is a key player and promoter of the following important initiatives whose overall

objectives are for the enhancement of aviation safety and security, connectivity, regional

integration and economic growth:

• Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) which is a framework for the liberalisation of air

transport in Africa,

• Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Legal Notice No 2,

• Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) the RSOO) for

East African Community Member States. It is the first RSOO in Africa and

Uganda is a founding State and has provided facilities for CASSOA’s

Headquarters at no cost. CASSOA has assisted its Member States to harmonise

regulations and practices, consequently strengthening their aviation safety and

security oversight.

• ICAO’s No Country Left Behind (NCLB) strategy by providing technical

assistance to African States through the African Civil Aviation Commission

(AFCAC) cooperative schemes established under the AFI Plans.

• Regional and global aviation groups and organisations. Uganda currently holds

the chairmanship of the Regional Aviation Safety Group for Africa (RASG-AFI)

and is a Member of the Executive Committee of CANSO

• ICAO’s programmes for decarbonising civil aviation by monitoring and controlling

carbon emissions from the industry. Uganda voluntarily joined the Carbon

Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and has

submitted her national action plan. With assistance from development partners, a

feasibility study for the production and deployment of sustainable Aviation Fuels

(SAFs) has been initiated. Positive outcomes are anticipated, which will guide the

way forward. Uganda is determined to be part of the success story of achieving

the Long-Term Aspiration Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions

from aviation by 2050.

National Capacity Building

The national civil aviation laws were reviewed and consolidated into the Civil Aviation

Authority Act, leading to the restructuring of civil aviation and creation of the Civil

5

Aviation Authority with the necessary autonomy and empowerment to enforce the

aviation oversight regulations in accordance with ICAO provisions and an independent

Aircraft Accident Investigation Agency.

For capacity building, Uganda has undertaken significant capital programmes to revamp

the East Africa Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA), which trains pilots and engineers to

meet national and regional needs. Working with ICAO, a major programme has been

launched with the objective of transforming the Academy and ultimately becoming a

member of the ICAO TRAINAIR Plus Programme.

Uganda’s Candidature for 2025 ICAO Council Elections

To continue contributing to the achievement of ICAO strategic goals and the aspirations

of the international civil aviation community, Uganda is seeking election to the Council in

Part III during the 42nd Session of the Assembly. Under the existing African rotation

scheme, Uganda will represent Eastern Africa, thus ensuring proportional regional

representation on the Council.

1

The Republic of Uganda

AIDE MEMOIRE

UGANDA’S CANDIDATURE FOR COUNCIL IN PART III AT 42ND SESSION OF ICAO

ASSEMBLY

Membership to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Uganda ratified the Convention on International Civil Aviation in 1967 and has since

remained an active Member State of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

and totally committed to the promotion of safe, secure, efficient and sustainable

development of international civil aviation. Her experts have actively participated in the

Council, Air Navigation Commission, Panels, Working Groups, Universal Audit

Programmes, thus contributing to the realisation of ICAO Strategic Goals.

Civil Aviation as a Strategic Pillar for Economic Development

Reliable civil aviation is a pillar for socio-economic development because it provides

regional and global connectivity, which stimulates the growth of tourism and trade by

enhancing supply chain resilience and easy movement of people and goods.

Tourism

Popularly known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is a beautiful country endowed with

natural tourist attractions which include breathtaking landscapes, featuring picturesque

snow-capped mountains, the source of the Nile (the world’s longest river), expansive

game parks that provide the home for an amazing diversity of animal species including

more than half of the world’s remaining gorillas. For the safari lovers Uganda offers an

incredible experience to trek the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest and to spot the

2

“big five” in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Parks. To harness

this huge tourism potential, well-developed and reliable aviation services are necessary.

Trade

With its conducive weather and fertile soils, in addition to the renowned coffee, Uganda

is famous for the export of high-value agricultural produce, notably freshwater fish, cut

flowers, tropical fruits, etc. These products constitute a significant portion of the

Country’s international trade and are heavily dependent on efficient air services to get

into their markets in Europe, the Middle East other parts of the world.

Connectivity for Easy Movement of People and Goods

For Uganda, air transport provides the fastest and most reliable gateway for the people

and goods to the rest of the world.

Tourism, international trade and connectivity underpin the significance of sustainable,

reliable and affordable air services to the socio-economic development of Uganda. This

is why the Government is fully committed to ensuring the safe, secure, efficient and

sustainable development of air services through compliance with ICAO SARPs and the

global aviation plans. As part of the national strategy, major airports and air navigation

services have been modernised and expanded to handle the several and growing

number of regional and international airlines operating to and from Uganda. Additionally,

the national carrier has been restructured and equipped with modern aircraft to enhance

regional and intercontinental air connectivity.

Prioritisation and Promotion of International Civil Aviation

Being a landlocked Country, an efficient air transport system is a critical enabler for

national economic growth and has consequently been given high priority in the Vision

2040 and other strategic plans of Uganda. High-level and tactical measures have been

taken to stimulate sustainable growth of aviation, which inter alia include:

• Enactment of enabling national legislation for the effective implementation of

ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and ratification of

conventions and protocols as well as agreements relating to international civil

aviation,

3

• Supporting ICAO’s programmes through short-term secondments to enhance

safety, security and sustainable development of international civil aviation,

• Commitment to:

➢ International consensus-building and fair and equal opportunities for all

Contracting States of ICAO through adherence to the principles and spirit

of the Convention on International Civil Aviation,

➢ Compliance with SARPs and other international requirements. The

outcomes of the universal safety and security audit conducted by ICAO in

2023 and 2024 have respectively confirmed high levels of aviation safety

and security performance.

➢ Objectives and goals of the global aviation plans, Africa comprehensive

implementation plans, No Country Left Behind initiative, and other

programmes that may be adopted by and through ICAO for the

sustainable growth of civil aviation.

Embracing Continental and Regional Liberalization Civil Aviation Initiatives

Uganda has embraced liberalisation of air transport industry to encourage healthy

competition and good quality of air services that meet the expectations of the

stakeholders. The overarching liberalization policy enables among others, signing of

bilateral air services agreements which contain “open skies” provisions, relaxation of

restrictions relating to the freedoms of the air, market access aspects such as

ownership and control of airlines by foreign nationals, doing business such as ground

handling, capital investments in airports and other aviation infrastructure and services.

To facilitate foreign investments in national airlines, Uganda has ratified the Cape Town

Convention and Protocol.

Regional and International Cooperation

Uganda actively promotes regional integration and is committed to collaboration and

pooling of resources at the regional level to enhance aviation oversight through

mechanism s such as regional safety oversight organisations (RSOOs). This is a very

effective cooperative arrangement for strengthening the aviation safety and security

oversight especially in developing countries where resources are constrained.

4

Uganda is a key player and promoter of the following important initiatives whose overall

objectives are for the enhancement of aviation safety and security, connectivity, regional

integration and economic growth:

• Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) which is a framework for the liberalisation of air

transport in Africa,

• Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Legal Notice No 2,

• Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) the RSOO) for

East African Community Member States. It is the first RSOO in Africa and

Uganda is a founding State and has provided facilities for CASSOA’s

Headquarters at no cost. CASSOA has assisted its Member States to harmonise

regulations and practices, consequently strengthening their aviation safety and

security oversight.

• ICAO’s No Country Left Behind (NCLB) strategy by providing technical

assistance to African States through the African Civil Aviation Commission

(AFCAC) cooperative schemes established under the AFI Plans.

• Regional and global aviation groups and organisations. Uganda currently holds

the chairmanship of the Regional Aviation Safety Group for Africa (RASG-AFI)

and is a Member of the Executive Committee of CANSO

• ICAO’s programmes for decarbonising civil aviation by monitoring and controlling

carbon emissions from the industry. Uganda voluntarily joined the Carbon

Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and has

submitted her national action plan. With assistance from development partners, a

feasibility study for the production and deployment of sustainable Aviation Fuels

(SAFs) has been initiated. Positive outcomes are anticipated, which will guide the

way forward. Uganda is determined to be part of the success story of achieving

the Long-Term Aspiration Goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions

from aviation by 2050.

National Capacity Building

The national civil aviation laws were reviewed and consolidated into the Civil Aviation

Authority Act, leading to the restructuring of civil aviation and creation of the Civil

5

Aviation Authority with the necessary autonomy and empowerment to enforce the

aviation oversight regulations in accordance with ICAO provisions and an independent

Aircraft Accident Investigation Agency.

For capacity building, Uganda has undertaken significant capital programmes to revamp

the East Africa Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA), which trains pilots and engineers to

meet national and regional needs. Working with ICAO, a major programme has been

launched with the objective of transforming the Academy and ultimately becoming a

member of the ICAO TRAINAIR Plus Programme.

Uganda’s Candidature for 2025 ICAO Council Elections

To continue contributing to the achievement of ICAO strategic goals and the aspirations

of the international civil aviation community, Uganda is seeking election to the Council in

Part III during the 42nd Session of the Assembly. Under the existing African rotation

scheme, Uganda will represent Eastern Africa, thus ensuring proportional regional

representation on the Council.