Works and Transport Minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala has called on Ugandans to support the country ‘s domestic aviation industry to spur economic growth and national development.
He also urged Ugandans to tap into the investment opportunities in the industry.
Gen.Katumba was speaking at the closure of a successful three-day Uganda Aviation Expo 2023 at Entebbe International Airport.
The minister said often high-end- tourists who visit Uganda want to travel by air to the different tourism sites upcountry because they are most times constrained by time and busy schedules . This, the Minister said calls for investments for inland -domestic flights .
The minister thanked Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) and the Uganda Professional Pilots Association (UPPA) for organizing the event that drew large crowds and noted that the organisers had demonstrated that the aviation industry was not out of reach of the ordinary person.
He welcomed the idea of organising similar expos for upcountry noting that this will help Ugandan to appreciate that aviation is not a preserve of the affluent and urban centers.
The Minister interested young Ugandans to take up careers and business opportunities in the lucrative aviation sector .
Earlier , Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said that thirteen aerodromes had already been refurbished while another six had been lined for repair.
One of the highlights of the event was an 82 year old woman was put on the Uganda Airlines plane and had a chance to fly for the first time at the #AviationExpoUG2023 under the sponsorship of her grand children .
