By Aggrey Baba
Munyonyo – Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is at the forefront of aviation safety as it hosts the Regional Safety Oversight Organisation (RSOO) Study Validation Workshop this week at Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel.
The three-day event, which runs from today, April 28 to 30, has brought together top experts from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), alongside local stakeholders, to discuss the future of aviation safety on the African continent.
The Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Dr Fred Bamwine, opened the workshop with an official welcome to the delegates, highlighting Uganda’s commitment to improving aviation standards and working closely with regional and international partners.
“We are grateful for the support of ICAO, EASA, and CASSOA. Together, we aim to strengthen safety oversight in Africa,”said Bamwine.
He also pointed out that the role of Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) has become even more vital in the current era, urging that these bodies help countries meet their obligations under the Chicago Convention by harmonizing safety oversight efforts and ensuring the smooth implementation of global aviation standards.
The workshop is expected to validate a study on strengthening the role of RSOOs and to further enhance Uganda’s capacity in overseeing civil aviation safety. “Your input during this workshop will shape a model that is not just effective but sustainable in the long term,” stressed the CAA boss, who also encouraged participants to actively engage and share experiences that will strengthen the region’s aviation safety systems.
Mr. Arthemon Ndikumana, the Deputy Regional Director of ICAO, delivered a powerful message about the importance of RSOOs in advancing aviation safety, saying that “aviation safety is one of ICAO’s highest priorities. By working together, we can ensure safe, secure, and efficient skies across Africa.”
Recalling the first RSOO Forum in Eswatini back in 2017, Ndikumana cited the Strategic Plan that followed, which called for stronger RSOOs across Africa. “We are now taking the next step by validating this study. Your feedback is crucial,” he said, urging all participants to contribute towards creating an actionable, practical framework for aviation safety.
The workshop follows up on discussions from the 2nd AFI RSOOs Global Forum held in Nairobi in 2023. Concerns about the funding structures and organizational configurations of RSOOs were raised, with a call for a more feasible and sustainable approach.
This validation workshop, organized in collaboration with EASA, will examine the findings of a recent feasibility study to ensure that RSOOs remain robust and effective.
As the workshop continues, delegates will work together to finalize a strategic plan that will be endorsed by the African Ministers of Civil Aviation. This plan will guide efforts to enhance the region’s aviation safety systems and support African nations in their compliance with international standards.
As Uganda hosts this important workshop, the UCAA reaffirms its support for regional cooperation in civil aviation and remains committed to strengthening aviation safety standards across the continent.
The collaboration between Uganda, ICAO, EASA, and CASSOA represents a major step toward achieving safe and secure skies across Africa.
With experts from around the continent and beyond now gathered in Kampala, the outcomes of this workshop will lay the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient aviation oversight system for years to come. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
