By Juma Nsubuga
In preparation for the upcoming African Union Summit on Agriculture (CAADP) due to take place from January 9-11 2025, Entebbe International Airport has held a last dry run to ensure a smooth arrival and departure of delegates.
The Summit due to take place at Common Wealth Resort Hotel in Munyonyo, will be attended by various Heads of State and governments, African Ministers for Agriculture, African Ministers for Foreign Affairs among many other important dignitaries.
The summit will show achievements, success stories and discuss strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience for the period 2026-2035.
The previous summits were held in Malabo in 2015 and Maputo in 2004.
The airport has previously held a table top discussion and two dry runs in preparation for this Summit.
Such rehearsals have helped set the tone and standards for all aspects like protocol, security, facilitation, media coverage and transportation of delegates (arrival and departure).
According to the Director Airports and Aviation Security Eng. Ayub Sooma, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) anticipates to facilitate 50 Heads of State and over 1000 VVIP and VIP delegates.
Speaking at the debrief of the dry run, Sooma commended participants for the active engagement which he says makes the airport more prepared to facilitate arriving and departing delegates alongside the daily business operation of the airport.
Sooma requested participants to comply with the aerodrome airside and landside safety and security regulations during the event.
He further thanked the government for financing the upgrade and expansion of Entebbe international airport that has enabled the airport to facilitate all state activities and events.
“I therefore request Government to approve finances for the 2nd phase of the upgrade and expansion of the airport that will position the airport as the preferred hub in the region and continent” Eng Sooma said.
