The Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) , Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye has assured the country that Entebbe International Airport is ready to receive high level dignitaries that will attend President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing in ceremony at the Kololo independence grounds on May 12.
“ A comprehensive operational plan was developed and validated through dry runs conducted on April 24 and May 4, 2026. The plan provides detailed protocols for handling the different categories of delegates expected.
“ All necessary infrastructure is in place, including adequate parking for additional aircraft beyond routine operations. Renovation works, furnishings, and branding have been undertaken in select areas, notably the VVIP facility, which serves as the primary reception area for Heads of State and their delegations,” Bamwesigye assured the nation while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala.
Bamwesigye said that UCAA continues to coordinate all airport stakeholders, including airlines, ground handlers, fuel operators, security, customs, and immigration. “Airlines have been fully briefed on operational expectations, and aviation fuel suppliers have been tasked to ensure adequate stock to meet the anticipated increase in demand, ensuring no disruptions or risk of scarcity,” he added.
Commenting about the general state of affairs regarding the aviation industry , Bamwesigye said that due to the conflicts in the Middle East , airlines operating Middle East routes from Entebbe, including Emirates, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways, and Uganda Airlines temporarily suspended flights before resuming operations in phases.
“These airlines continue to closely monitor the situation and adjust their schedules accordingly. The disruptions had a considerable impact on passenger and cargo traffic through Entebbe, contributing to increased ticket costs and reduced revenues across the sector.”
The numbers:
While passenger traffic at Entebbe International Airport had been steadily rising over recent years, the January to March 2026 quarter recorded an unprecedented decline compared to the same period in 2025. International arrivals fell by 7.9%, from 260,434 to 239,850 passengers. Similarly, international departures declined by 8.5%, from 290,594 to 265,941 passengers.
Transit passenger traffic, however, recorded strong growth of 25.2%, rising from 22,394 to 28,035 passengers.
Cargo exports declined sharply by 28.9%, from 10,534 in 2025 to 7,490 metric tonnes in the same quarter of 2026, while imports fell by 9%, from 4,932 to 4,490 metric tonnes.
Notably, despite the decline in passenger and cargo traffic, aircraft movements increased by 7.7%, from 7,817 to 8,420 movements, and overflights grew by 2.6%, from 6,258 to 6,423, an indication of continued interest in Uganda’s airspace.
The impact was most pronounced in March 2026. Cargo exports fell by 45.2% compared to March 2025, dropping from 3,886 to 2,130 metric tonnes, while imports declined by 30.3%, from 1,965 to 1,369 metric tonnes. International departures decreased by 8.6%, from 94,150 to 86,033 passengers, though international arrivals posted a modest recovery of 2.7%, rising from 82,750 to 85,020 passengers.
