By Juma Nsubuga
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) in partnership with the East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency EAC_CASSOA , the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have co-hosted the Validation Workshop of the Follow-up Study for the Development and Implementation of a Strategic Plan for Supporting and Strengthening Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) in Africa. The function took place at the Common Wealth Resort hotel in Munyonyo-Kampala.
The workshop has brought together over 100 delegates, including key representatives from ICAO, the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), EASA, and various Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) across the continent.
The UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye while officially opening the three day workshop emphasized Uganda’s strong commitment to advancing aviation safety and enhancing regional collaboration.
Bamwesigye noted that effective Regional Safety Oversight Organizations (RSOOs) are crucial to improving safety oversight, fostering harmonized regulations and driving sustainable growth in Africa’s aviation sector.
“Uganda is a Partner State of the EAC RSOO – CASSOA. We have benefited from CASSOA through technical support, capacity building and harmonisation of the Regulatory framework among others” Bamwesigye said adding that
this validation workshop is a key milestone in ensuring that the proposed frameworks, approaches, and institutional arrangements for our RSOOs are both practical and responsive to our needs as AFI States.
He expressed hope that stakeholders’ input during this workshop will help shape a model that is not only effective but sustainable in the long term.
“We believe that through unified action, shared responsibility, and continued engagement with ICAO, partner organisations and other States, we can further enhance our collective capacity to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety” he added.
He said that this important forum aligns with the collective vision of strengthening Africa’s aviation systems through innovation, cooperation, and the strategic consolidation of safety oversight efforts.
Bamwesigye emphasized that UCAA remains committed to working closely with all aviation stakeholders to ensure a safe, secure, and efficient air transport environment across Africa.
