Gen Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, has called on East African countries to work together to strengthen the region’s aviation industry. He made the call during the 48th East African Consultative Meeting on the Facilitation of Air Transport, held on Thursday at Speke Resort.
Speaking to delegates from across the region, Gen Katumba said that cooperation is the only way for East Africa to build a competitive and safe aviation sector. He noted that airlines and aviation authorities face many common challenges that cannot be solved by individual countries alone.
He highlighted key issues that need urgent attention, including better infrastructure, improved safety and security measures, and faster adoption of modern aviation technology. According to him, the region must invest in upgrading airports, strengthening air navigation systems, and improving passenger handling to keep up with international standards.
Gen Katumba also urged stakeholders to focus on training and skilling aviation workers so the industry can meet growing demand. He said that collaboration in training, information sharing, and policy development would help East African countries reduce costs and improve service quality.
He reminded participants that a united aviation industry would boost tourism, trade, and regional integration. “When we work together, we open more doors for investment and make it easier for our people to move across borders,” he said.
The meeting brought together aviation regulators, airline representatives, airport managers, and other industry players from the East African Community (EAC). They discussed strategies for improving air transport and strengthening cooperation among member states.
The delegates agreed to continue working on harmonizing aviation policies, improving safety oversight, and addressing bottlenecks that slow down regional air travel.
