By Mulengera Reporters
Ongoing rehabilitation works at Jinja’s Kimaka Aerodrome are 72% complete, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Director General (DG) Fred Bamwesigye has said, putting the project on track for completion by April 30, 2026.
Bamwesigye disclosed the update during a stakeholders’ engagement breakfast held at Kampala’s Imperial Royale Hotel on Tuesday, 16 December, where he briefed stakeholders on ongoing air navigation, surveillance and safety improvements across the country.
He said the Kimaka project, which covers the runway, taxiway and apron, was launched by President YK Museveni in January 2025 and is currently at 72% physical performance against 50% financial performance.
Beyond Kimaka, Bamwesigye said UCAA and government have upgraded and installed modern navigation and landing systems at Entebbe, Soroti, Kasese, Hoima and Gulu to improve flight safety and operational efficiency. These include DVOR/DME systems and Instrument Landing Systems where required.
He added that plans are underway to upgrade navigation aids at Kisoro and install new systems at Arua, with additional navigation infrastructure to be integrated into future airport projects.
To improve pilot–air traffic controller communication, the authority has implemented a VHF Extended Range radio network covering Entebbe, Soroti, Gulu, Masindi and Kasese. According to Bamwesigye, this has strengthened two-way communication within the Entebbe Flight Information Region, with the second phase underway to eliminate remaining blind spots.
On air traffic surveillance, he said the radar system at Entebbe will be upgraded in the6 2025/26 financial year to improve coverage and reliability. From 2026 to 2030, UCAA plans to acquire a modern surveillance system with an independent backup based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) technology to ensure continuity of service.
The DG also outlined targeted improvements at upcountry airfields, including installation of portable airfield ground lighting at Soroti for night training, enhanced security screening at Arua, taxiway and fencing works at Soroti, construction of a 100-car parking facility at Arua, and runway rehabilitation at Pakuba and Moroto aerodromes.
