By Sadique Bamwita
KAMPALA
The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has urged all member states under the East African Community to harmonize civil aviation policies and regulations so as to enhance passengers experience across airports within the East African region.
The Minister argues that by harmonizing civil aviation policies and regulations across airports- this will help to enhance tourism and trade within the East African region.
While addressing gathered reporters in Kampala on November 27, 2025, Gen. Wamala noted that if all member states harmonize their civil aviation policies and regulations, customer experience at all airports within the region will be eased. He, however called for East African Tourist Visa to easy movement of tourists across all airports within the region.
“We need the East African Visa to eliminate the process of getting a visa for each country within the East Africa Community region,” he says.
Gen. Katumba expressed concern on the low cargo volume at Entebbe International Airport saying its currently below by 40,000 metric tonnes.
“The challenge with our cargo is that we need to produce more. Our cargo terminal has capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes but unfortunately it now takes 60,000 metric tonnes,”Gen. Katumba said.
The Deputy Director General Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Olive Lumonya Birungi, revealed that passenger flights both arrival and departure increased between 2023 to 2025 from 1.8 million to 2.3million passengers.
The Head of delegation Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, said he was impressed with the new infrastructures at Entebbe International Airport. He is also optimistic that the expansion of the airport will help in facilitation of airport users.
The Commissioner in charge of transport regulation and safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Winston Katushabe, challenged all member states to promote a safe and efficient aviation sector. He also revealed that Kabalega international airport and 13 aerodromes across the country have been worked on to meet the global standard required for an airport or aerodrome to operate.
