27/03/2026
UCAA Engages Buwaya Community on Wildlife Hazard Management for Enhanced Aviation Safety
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) conducted a vital wildlife management sensitization meeting with the Buwaya fishing communityat St. Luke Church, Ssazi - Lulongo on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The engagement is a crucial part of UCAA’s ongoing efforts to bolster aviation safety around Entebbe International Airport.
Speaking on behalf of the Director Airports & Aviation Security, Eng. Sooma Ayub, the Principal Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Kenneth Otim, emphasized that aviation safety extends beyond airport boundaries and into surrounding communities.
He highlighted the critical role of responsible waste management and farming practices within a 13-kilometre radius of the airport, noting that such activities can inadvertently attract birds into aircraft flight paths. Ms. Esther Bigirwa – from Air Traffic Management shared the experience Air Traffic Controllers have whenever they are faced with bird strikes.
A comprehensive technical presentation was delivered by Ms. Gloria Bitebekezi, who detailed UCAA’s robust four-way approach to wildlife hazard management:
• Community engagement: Fostering collaboration and awareness among local residents to discourage attractants such as poor waste handling. • Habitat management: Modifying environments to deter wildlife presence.• Dispersal strategies: Clearing wildlife from the airport movement areas.• Continuous research: To understand wildlife behaviour and activities for better mitigation strategies.
Ms. Bitebekezi further elaborated on Uganda CAA’s adoption of modern, science-based methods and reported about the ongoing ecological study conducted by Nature Uganda on behalf of UCAA.
The sensitization brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including local leaders, fishermen, health and sanitation officials, and UCAA technical teams. All participants collectively pledged to strengthen community awareness, improve hygiene practices, and support ongoing monitoring efforts.
The initiative underscores UCAA’s unwavering commitment to mitigating wildlife hazards, particularly bird strikes, which pose significant risks to aircraft operations, passenger safety, and incur substantial airline costs.
