It was the Nile River that was used as an escape route for Moses’ Mother who saved his life after the Egyptian King who feared the Israelites’ increasing Population in Egypt issued a command to take every newborn Hebrew boy and throw him into the Nile River and when the King’s daughter had come to bathe at the river, she suddenly noticed a basket and when the basket was opened, it was a baby boy. The King’s daughter took the baby boy, nursed him and she said to herself, “I pulled him out of the Water (Nile River), and so I name him Moses.
Throughout the biblical times to the present day, the Egyptians have been able to harness the Nile River and reap enormous economic benefits unlike Uganda that is home to the source of the Nile River and while delivering his keynote address in Jinja on Saturday in celebration of ICAO’s 75th anniversary, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Director-General, Prof. David Kakuba spoke so passionately about the need to “awaken the sleeping giant” (source of the Nile) so as to reap the economic benefits in form of attracting tourists both local and foreign.
Uganda’s choice of the Source of the Nile as the venue for celebration of ICAO’s 75th anniversary is because it is an important iconic tourism site. The tourism sector and the aviation industry have got a symbiotic relationship in promoting the country’s economic growth and development. Both industries support each other. As the first point of call for passengers in and out of Uganda, Entebbe International Airport has played a significant part in the run-up to Uganda’s winning of various tourism awards, Prof. Kakuba stated
Prof. Kakuba added
We have erected a temporary monument in memory of this celebration. The long term plan is for a longer-lasting structure at the Island near the zero point, which is the actual Source of the Nile. UCAA plans to invest in this initiative and harness the collaboration with Jinja Municipal Council. UCAA will also cooperate with other development partners in the region and will ensure that the plans resonate with the Source of the Nile development Master plan by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities.
UCAA is committed to supporting Uganda’s tourism promotion initiatives. We are the only Ugandan entity affiliated to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and we have promoted Uganda’s tourism at a number of International exhibitions in Berlin, London and at various World Routes Fora.
Minister of state for Cooperatives, Hon. Gume Ngobi Frederick who ably represented Works Minister Hon. Monica Ntege had this to say;
Celebrating the ICAO’s 75th Anniversary through raising the ICAO Flag at the Source of the Nile further promotes the cordial and mutually beneficial relations that exist between tourism and the aviation industry. Cognizant of the fact that the source of the Nile is an International Iconic tourism site, it is only right and fitting that celebrating the 75 years of connecting the world are held here (source of the Nile) in recognition of the tremendous contribution of tourism to the development of Air Transport.
Air Transport has over the years aided tourism facilitating safe and quick transportation of people to access Uganda’s beautiful and world-renowned sites. In further promotion of tourism and connectivity, government also designated five of the thirteen upcountry aerodromes including Arua, Kasese, Pakuba, Gulu and Kidepo for international entry and exit. This is to facilitate international flight to tourism attraction areas.
Uganda became a contracting member state of ICAO in 1967 and has since played and will continue to support ICAO Plans and Programs and I want to assure all users of Uganda’s Air Transport System that government is committed to continued Service observance of the ICAO’s standards and recommended practices.
On his part, Mr. Eyob Estifanos the ICAO Eastern And Southern Africa (ESAF) Associate Regional Programme Officer had this to say;
Signing of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) treaty in Chicago USA 75 years ago paved the way for an era of an organized Air Transport system of uniform application of Standards and recommended practices which we call the SARPs to which Air Transport has continued to drive as a fast, most organized, secure, safe modern way of transport.
Uganda became a signatory to the convention in 1967 and has greatly contributed to Organization and governing body of the ICAO council, the Air Navigation Commission and Leadership at the regional office and as a “No Country Left Behind” initiative, developing countries including African States have benefited from ICAO Programs that promote Co-operation, assistance in a collaborative manner. The Monument at the source of the Nile, the longest river in the world will be a permanent symbol of the dedication of the government and the people of the Republic of Uganda to the aviation sector.
