The parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure has hailed Uganda Civil Aviation Authority for being transparent and committed towards the completion of the upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport. While touring the different projects aimed at upgrading and expanding Entebbe International Airport, the parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure were satisfied and didn’t raise any red flag and promised to expedite the process for more funds from government to avoid delays.
Speaking during the physical inspection of the projects at Entebbe International Airport, the chairman parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure Kafeero Ssekitoleko Robert was visibly satisfied with the overall progress and urged other government institutions to learn from Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
On his part, Fred Bamwesigye the acting Director-General Uganda Civil Aviation Authority urged the parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure to work hand in hand with government to ensure that more funds are released so as to avoid further delays in the upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport.
“We (UCAA) are appealing to the government for budget support to avoid further delays in the upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport. Because of the funding gaps, the contract timeline for the completion of the upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport has been extended from May 5, 2021, to May 5, 2022. We (UCAA) are also working with the Hospitality and tourism sector regarding the confidence-building measures to attract passengers back since the aviation industry is recovering from the adverse effects of the pandemic,” Bamwesigye
He added
The pandemic impacted aviation operations to the extent that commercial aircraft movements reduced from 32,798 in 2019 to 14, 437 in 2020. In January and February 2021, Entebbe International Airport recorded 2,838 aircraft movements. On average, the airport used to handle about 89 movements per day in 2019, which reduced to an average of about 39 per day in 2020. The January and February 2021 average is so far 48 commercial aircraft movements per day. While in the beginning (October – December 2020) we allowed only one flight per airline per day, since January 2021 two flights have been permitted per airline per day and those with traffic have an opportunity to even increase the frequency. Initial plans envisaged full resumption of operations in June 2021, but this may be achieved earlier than anticipated.
In his remarks, Mr. Thomas James Kigundu, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Board member revealed that the bulk of UCAA revenue is derived from commercial passenger operations and added that they have hit an all-time low and as a result, the revenues have gone down tremendously, and this challenge certainly has an impact on the operations.
Overall project performance status
The overall physical progress is at 79.02 percent and the projects include among others;
Strengthening of Runway 17/35 and its associated taxiways and the overall physical progress is at 100 percent, Runway 12/30 and its associated taxiways and the overall physical progress is 98 percent, strengthening and expansion of Apron 1and the overall physical progress is at 85 percent, overall strengthening, and expansion of Apron 2 and the overall physical progress is at 99.8 percent, strengthening and expansion of Apron 4 and the overall physical progress is at 99.3 percent, cargo complex and connecting roads and the overall physical progress is at 97.0 percent.
