By Delux Emmy Alomu
SOROTI CITY
53 students proudly graduated from the East African Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA) in Soroti after completing their training in diverse courses for the academic period 2023/2025. The occasion marked the 3rd graduation ceremony, held on Friday, March 27, 2026, as the academy celebrates its graduates every three years.
Among those who graduated, 24 earned diplomas in integrated pilot training, 21 received diplomas in aircraft maintenance engineering, and eight completed certificates in the flight operation officer’s course.
The graduates in aircraft maintenance engineering undertook a rigorous three-year program, while those in integrated pilot training spent two and a half years, and the flight operation officers’ course spanned nine months.
Despite this achievement, academy officials raised concerns about ongoing challenges since the Ugandan government assumed management and operations in 1977 following the collapse of the East African Community.
They pointed to an undefined legal status and reliance on minimal funding from the Ministry of Transport, leading to shortages in spare parts and training equipment, which impact the timely completion of courses. Low staffing levels also contributed to the institution’s struggles, as highlighted by officials.
Hon. Dr. Justice Stephen B.K. Kavuma, former deputy chief Justice of Uganda, represented the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, as the chief guest. He remarked that the graduation ceremony is a testament to the graduates’ hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence in civil aviation.
Justice Kavuma emphasized the critical role of civil aviation in driving economic and social development in the region, citing it as a key facilitator of growth, connectivity, and integration.
“We take pride in institutions like the East African Civil Aviation Academy, which play a crucial role in nurturing the skills and expertise essential for this growth,” he stated.
He congratulated the graduates on successfully completing rigorous programs that have equipped them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to thrive in the aviation sector. The deputy chief justice encouraged them to leverage their education, innovate, and contribute to the establishment of a safe, efficient, and sustainable air transport system in the region.
The statement noted that Uganda’s aviation sector is expanding daily, and this graduation signifies a significant boost to the workforce that the industry currently requires.
“Do not let your knowledge be confined to passing exams and achieving good grades; strive to have the nation benefit from your achievements in these specialized courses,” the deputy chief justice concluded.
In his own words, he encouraged the graduates to relentlessly pursue the enhancement of their knowledge and skills, emphasizing that their journey is far from over. He highlighted that competition has become global, stating, “If you don’t advance, you will be a loser.”
Col. Ronald Turyamubona, the Academy director, expressed concerns regarding the academy’s ambiguous legal status. Currently functioning as a department under the Ministry of Works and Transport, it has yet to be fully recognized as a training institution that meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.
He appealed to the Government to expedite the formalization of the academy’s management as a specialized semi-autonomous aviation training institution, a process that has been delayed since the cabinet’s resolution in March 2019. Turyamubona believes that once this status is secured, both the academic budget and overall operations will substantially improve, and he urged the finance ministry to allocate funds for necessary infrastructure projects.
He advised the graduates to ensure they remain relevant and impactful in their careers, contributing to making aviation a safe mode of transport globally. He also stressed the importance of pursuing further education, noting that diplomas and certificates alone do not guarantee a successful career.
The academy director called on graduates to creatively and innovatively apply their skills in their professional pursuits. He highlighted the significance of both academic and non-academic skills, including leadership and integrity, to showcase their professional capabilities fully.
Margaret A. Ojara, chairperson of the management advisory task force, shared concerns about the current uncertainty regarding the academy’s legal standing, which has led to a range of interconnected challenges. This situation has hindered the official recognition of the academy as a public tertiary institution, resulting in difficulties in obtaining full accreditation from the National Council for Higher Education.
Furthermore, this unresolved status limits the government’s ability to provide consistent funding, leaving the institution without the financial stability required for long-term planning and growth. Ojara noted that these issues need to be addressed promptly.
Another pressing challenge the academy faces is the ongoing need for reliable funding and adequate staffing. She urged the graduates to set an example by performing their duties with excellence and diligence.
Robert J. Ntambi, the Commissioner for Maritime Administration at the Ministry of Works and Transport, who spoke on behalf of the permanent secretary, acknowledged the necessity for government support in funding the academy operations, given the challenges that the institution is currently facing.
The ministry has committed to closely monitoring the request from the Ugandan government regarding full ownership of the academy. Addressing this and other matters will facilitate an increased budget for staff and infrastructure development at the academy.
In response to some challenges raised by the academy authorities and the commissioner from the ministry of transport, Justice Kavuma acknowledged that challenges are a normal part of life, assuring that they would be addressed in due course.
Iteso Paramount Chief, Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot Etomeileng, noted that for the first time in the academy’s history, President Yoweri Museveni has granted scholarships to five students from Teso to attend the academy. Emolot expressed his commitment to mobilizing more students to join the academy following a recent announcement.
He urged the community to take action by working diligently to enroll their children in the academy, highlighting its potential to transform lives.
Among the distinguished graduates was Capt. Gabriel Emadit from Ngariam sub-county in Katakwi District, who excelled in the diploma program for integrated pilot training and is now an instructor. Others, including Musa Apedor and Jesca Mary Aiyo of Arapai, were recognized as top performers in the diploma in aircraft maintenance engineering, while Alice Mirembe and Joel Jude Mugula excelled in the certificate program for flight operation officers.
Emadit expressed gratitude for successfully completing his course, attributing his achievement to hard work, consultation with his instructors, and discipline. He encouraged others to adopt the same approach to academic excellence. Mirembe attributed her success to divine grace and the collaborative effort of her peers.
Betty Itingu, a resident of Arapai sub-county in Soroti District, shared that Aiyo was able to study thanks to the support of Compassion International, as her family struggled to afford school fees.
Established in 1971 by the first East African Community (EAC), the academy was designed to train pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers, primarily for East African Airways. However, following the collapse of the EAC in 1977 and the subsequent withdrawal of funding from its three partner states—Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania—the academy was taken over by the Ugandan government and placed under the Ministry of Works and Transport, which continues to fund its operations today.
The East African Civil Aviation Academy is situated at Soroti Airport, serving as the base for its training operations, which include residential programs in engineering, piloting, and flight operations.
