National aviation safety co-ordination committee inaugurated
Byamukama said the establishment of the co-ordination group underscores Uganda's dedication to implementing a structured, data-driven and proactive approach to safety management in alignment with the national and international standards.
Lt Gen Charles Okidi (3rd left), the commander UPDF Air force receives the instruments of power as a member of the aviation safety group which was inaugurated on Thursday at Protea Hotel in Kampala. From left is Steven Kavuma, the UCAA board chairperson, Fred Byamukama, the minister of state for transport and Fred Bamwesigye (right) the UCAA director general. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)
Julius Luwemba
Journalist @New Vision
KAMPALA - Transport state minister Fred Byamukama has inaugurated the national State Safety Programme (SSP) co-ordination group.
The eight-member team, which is expected to oversee regulatory compliance and the overall safety of the aviation and transportation sectors, was inaugurated on March 13, 2025, at Protea Hotel in Kampala.
It comprises officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Uganda People's Defence Air Force, works ministry, airline companies, air traffic control and air navigation systems, among others.
Byamukama said the establishment of the co-ordination group underscores Uganda's dedication to implementing a structured, data-driven and proactive approach to safety management in alignment with the national and international standards.
"This group will serve as the central pillar in ensuring that safety policies, risk assessments and regulatory frameworks are not only developed but effectively implemented across all relevant sectors," he said.
UCAA director general Fred Bamwesigye further explained that the group will play a crucial role in ensuring that aviation safety is a shared duty among all stakeholders.
He also revealed that the formation of the SSP group is part of the regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for safety management.
ICAO tasks different states to establish national SSP co-ordination groups to ensure cross-sector collaboration and effective safety risk management. Bamwesigye emphasised that the inaugurated group is mainly tasked with enhancing predictive risk analysis to prevent accidents.
"Let us remember that aviation safety is not just a policy. It is a culture that we must nurture every day and through our collective efforts, we will build a safer, more resilient and efficient safety industry," Bamwesigye implored.
UCAA board chairperson Steven Kavuma said aviation safety oversight has evolved from a reactive approach to a proactive and predictive approach: "Initially, safety regulations were primarily compliance-based, meaning the regulators and service providers focused on meeting prescriptive requirements rather than managing risks dynamically".
He expressed optimism that the national SSP coordination group will see a transition from a reactive to a predictive safety management approach.