By Aggrey Baba
Uganda is taking firm steps toward a cleaner aviation future, with the launch of a feasibility study aimed at exploring Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Today, Tuesday morning, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) officially kicked off a two-day workshop at the Entebbe-based UCAA Headquarters, marking the start of a groundbreaking feasibility study.
This study is set to guide Uganda’s roadmap towards adopting SAF, a cleaner and more environmentally friendly fuel alternative for aircraft.
Speaking at the launch, the Director General of UCAA, Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, expressed gratitude to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Air Transport Bureau, and the Government of the United Kingdom for their unwavering support and funding for this initiative under the ACT-SAF project.
“We are grateful for the guidance from ICAO and the support from the UK government. Uganda is ready to walk the talk on sustainable aviation,” said Bamwesigye.
He noted that Uganda has consistently supported ICAO’s global environmental protection standards and policies, and the SAF programme is another step in the same direction.
The workshop, attended by top ICAO experts including Mr. Mohamed Rahma and Mr. Cesar Velarde, aims to deepen stakeholder understanding of SAF, its production, benefits, and challenges.
Bamwesigye emphasized that the feasibility study will not only contribute to global carbon emission reduction targets but also open doors for local economic opportunities. “Let’s not miss the train. SAF could be a game changer, not just for aviation, but also for Uganda’s agricultural and energy sectors,” he added.
He called upon stakeholders to actively engage with the ICAO experts during the workshop and contribute data to help assess Uganda’s potential in SAF production.
The feasibility study aligns with the ICAO’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in aviation by 2050, and a short-term target of cutting emissions by 5% through cleaner fuels by 2030.
As the workshop gets underway, all eyes are on the discussions and outcomes that will shape Uganda’s journey toward a greener aviation industry, one that may someday run not just on fuel, but on hope, innovation, and commitment. After all, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
