Entebbe Airport safer from bird strikes after Kigungu cleanup
The clean-up exercise, held on Saturday, March 29, saw area residents and community leaders collecting garbage and transporting it to designated spots, from where it was hauled to the Katabi town council dumpsite.
Pupils of Kigungu primary school joined officials of Uganda Airlines and the area leaders for the clean-up exercise around Kigungu landing site in Entebbe municipality on Saturday. (Photos by Julius Luwemba)
Julius Luwemba
Journalist @New Vision
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Officials from Uganda Airlines spearheaded the cleaning of Lake Victoria’s shoreline in Kigungu ward, Division B, Entebbe Municipality, as part of the airline’s Flight Path Sustainability Project, which aims to mitigate bird strikes.
Led by Shakilah Rahim Lamar, head of corporate affairs and public relations, the airline officials joined local leaders in clearing garbage from the heavily littered Kigungu landing site, reinforcing efforts for sustainable waste management around Entebbe Airport.
The clean-up exercise, held on Saturday, March 29, saw area residents and community leaders collecting garbage and transporting it to designated spots, from where it was hauled to the Katabi town council dumpsite.
Shakilah emphasised that proper waste management is key to reducing bird strikes, which pose risks to aircraft operating from Entebbe Airport.
Stuart Lubwama, a Kigungu resident, welcomed the initiative but highlighted the community’s lack of public toilets and household latrines.
He urged authorities to find a lasting solution to the widespread problem of open defecation and improper waste disposal.
In response, Division B chairperson Richard Sekyondo revealed plans to introduce smart toilets at landing sites like Kigungu and Nakiwogo.
"We are in discussions with an American investor to bring these smart toilets to the area. Residents will be able to acquire them at a subsidised fee, payable in instalments," he said.
Members of the municipal development forum cleaning the lake Victoria shoreline adjacent to Kigungu church in Entebbe municipality.
Sekyondo further explained that the planned toilets would be regularly emptied, with human waste repurposed for manure, energy, and other sustainable uses.
"Since this is a rocky area, digging pit latrines is not feasible. Establishing smart toilets is the best sustainable solution," he added.
Entebbe Municipality deputy mayor Charles Kabwama underscored the importance of environmental cleanliness, particularly along the shoreline, noting that it not only reduces bird populations but also protects aquatic life and helps prevent outbreaks of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and Ebola.
He pointed out that Entebbe, as a bird sanctuary, has large flocks of birds that pose a risk to aircraft.
When Uganda Airlines launched the Flight Path Sustainability Project in November last year, CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki stressed that bird strikes occur most frequently during take-off and landing, with "up to 90% happening near airports."
Together with Entebbe mayor Fabrice Rulinda, the airline initiated the project to enhance aviation safety and support environmental sustainability.
The initiative aims to reduce bird concentrations around Entebbe Airport by 40% through community engagement and innovative recycling solutions.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has also been working with local communities to promote proper waste management.
"Entebbe is a bird sanctuary, which is great for tourism but presents challenges for the aviation industry," noted Eng. Ayub Sooma, UCAA’s director of airports and aviation security.
He explained that birds colliding with aircraft can cause significant engine damage and potential disasters.
"Every effort must be made to prevent this," he added.
Meanwhile, UCAA public affairs manager Vianney Luggya assured that the authority maintains a bird hazard and wildlife management team, which conducts regular runway sweeps and other measures to keep birds away from the vicinity of the runway before aircraft land or take off.