Aviation authorities are assessing the damage after a sudden, high-intensity windstorm swept through Entebbe International Airport on the morning of Friday, April 10, 2026.
The storm, driven by a waterspout system originating over Lake Victoria, struck the airfield with enough force to flip a light aircraft on its back and push another into the surrounding grass. Despite the visual damage to ground equipment, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) confirmed that no injuries occurred and scheduled flight operations remained unaffected.
UCAA Response: “No Injuries Reported”
According to Vianney Luggya Mpungu, the UCAA Public Affairs Manager, the impact was localized primarily at the old airport’s Apron 04.
“The adverse weather impacted a light aircraft which was parked on Apron 04. No one sustained injuries, and our technical teams are currently assessing the extent of the damage,” Luggya stated.
Orange-Level Weather Alert Issued
Meteorological officials under the Ministry of Water and Environment revealed that the system was not entirely unforeseen. An orange-level weather alert had been issued at approximately 2:00 AM for the Entebbe peninsula, warning of severe south-easterly winds.
Key Meteorological Findings:
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Source: A localized waterspout system over Lake Victoria.
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Intensity: Gusts were strong enough to overwhelm standard tie-down anchors for parked aircraft.
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Collateral Damage: Beyond the aircraft, several vehicles within the airport vicinity reportedly sustained minor damage.
Operational Risks and Lake Victoria Weather
The incident has reignited discussions regarding the operational risks faced by Entebbe International Airport due to its geographical location. Being situated on a peninsula, the airport is frequently exposed to volatile wind systems generated by Lake Victoria.
Industry experts suggest that as global temperatures rise, the frequency of such extreme weather events may increase, necessitating:
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Reinforced Ground Infrastructure: Upgrading tie-down anchors for light aircraft.
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Early Warning Utilization: Improving the real-time response to orange and red-level alerts.
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Enhanced Safety Protocols: Implementing stricter ground handling measures during predicted storms.
Current Status of Operations
As of Sunday, April 12, 2026, operations at Entebbe International Airport are running normally. UCAA continues to coordinate with stakeholders to ensure that ground handling protocols are robust enough to withstand future atmospheric volatility.
