Uganda Hosts Strategic Aviation Safety Workshop to Strengthen Regional Oversight in Africa

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in collaboration with the East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is co-hosting a high-level Validation Workshop aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) across Africa.

Taking place from Monday, April 28 to Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, the workshop is convening more than 100 delegates, including prominent representatives from ICAO, the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), EASA, and various RSOOs from different regions of the continent.

The workshop is part of a follow-up study designed to develop and implement a strategic plan to support and strengthen RSOOs in Africa, with the ultimate goal of improving aviation safety, harmonizing regulatory frameworks, and promoting sustainable development in the continent’s aviation sector.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, underscored Uganda’s unwavering commitment to aviation safety and regional collaboration.

“Effective Regional Safety Oversight Organizations are not just desirable—they are indispensable,” Bamwesigye emphasized. “They play a critical role in improving safety oversight, fostering harmonized regulations, and enabling sustainable growth within Africa’s aviation ecosystem.”

He further noted that the workshop represents a significant step toward achieving the shared continental vision of modernizing and strengthening aviation safety systems through innovation, cooperation, and strategic consolidation.

The workshop provides a platform for open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic alignment among African aviation stakeholders. It also facilitates the validation of key findings from the follow-up study, which aims to identify gaps, propose actionable recommendations, and align RSOO functions with global best practices.

This initiative is particularly timely as Africa's aviation sector continues to recover and grow post-COVID-19, with increasing demands for reliable safety oversight mechanisms that support expansion while ensuring compliance with international standards.

The Validation Workshop reaffirms UCAA’s role as a regional leader in civil aviation and reflects its dedication to working closely with continental and international partners to build a safe, secure, and efficient air transport network for Africa.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority is the statutory organization responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation activities in Uganda. Its mission is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety, security, and efficiency, and to position Uganda as a key aviation hub in the region.