Uganda Plans Trade Hub at Entebbe International Airport to Boost Trade and Tourism
Uganda is planning to establish a trade hub at Entebbe International Airport as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s trade and tourism sectors.The planned facility was announced by Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, during his opening remarks at a Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) stakeholders’ breakfast meeting held in Kampala on December 5, 2023.The meeting formed part of activities organized in Uganda to commemorate International Civil Aviation Week and highlight the contribution of aviation to the country’s socio-economic development.
Gen. Katumba said the Ministry of Works and Transport was working with UCAA and other stakeholders to develop a mechanism for establishing the trade hub at Entebbe International Airport.He explained that the initiative was being pursued in recognition of the important role air transport plays in facilitating economic development and connecting countries to international markets.The proposed trade hub is expected to provide an additional platform for promoting Uganda’s products and improving the country’s access to regional and international markets.The initiative will involve collaboration between government agencies, UCAA and stakeholders in the tourism and trade sectors.According to the Minister, strengthening the relationship between aviation, trade and tourism could create more opportunities for Uganda’s economy.
Entebbe International Airport is Uganda’s main international gateway and plays an important role in connecting the country to destinations across Africa and beyond.The proposed trade hub is therefore expected to take advantage of the airport’s strategic location and growing international connectivity.During the meeting, Gen. Katumba also congratulated Uganda’s aviation industry for the progress recorded in the country’s aviation safety oversight.He particularly highlighted Uganda’s performance in the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme-Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA).Uganda achieved a score of 72.2 percent in the assessment, a result that the Minister said had strengthened confidence in the country’s aviation safety system within the international community.
UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye also provided an overview of Uganda’s aviation sector and its growing international connectivity.He noted that Uganda was being served by 16 international scheduled operators at the time, while the country had a total of 26 licensed air operators.Bamwesigye further revealed that Uganda had 52 active Bilateral Air Service Agreements in place.These agreements provide a framework for air services between Uganda and other countries and contribute to the expansion of international air connectivity.The stakeholders’ meeting was held as Uganda prepared to mark International Civil Aviation Day on December 7.
International Civil Aviation Day is commemorated annually to raise awareness about the importance of international civil aviation and its contribution to social and economic development.The day was first celebrated in 1994, marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Chicago Convention, which established the foundation for the modern international civil aviation system and led to the creation of ICAO.The proposed trade hub at Entebbe is therefore part of wider efforts to maximize the economic benefits of Uganda’s aviation infrastructure while strengthening the country’s position in international trade and tourism.
