Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s Parliament recently approved the Civil Aviation Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024, signaling a significant step towards aligning the country’s aviation regulations with international standards. The bill, comprising of eight amendments, is now awaiting the President’s assent.

During a sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday, 01 February 2024, the parliament passed the bill, which includes provisions to empower a chief investigator to initiate inquiries into aircraft accidents or serious incidents within Uganda or involving Ugandan-registered aircraft abroad.

According to Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister for Works and Transport, the chief investigator must be a highly qualified individual with extensive experience in the airline industry, ensuring compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. The legislation also upholds the confidentiality of investigation records, such as cockpit recordings and air traffic control transcripts, to maintain the integrity of inquiries.

However, Timothy Batuwa (FDC, Jinja South Division West) expressed concerns about the limited public access to information during accident investigations, emphasizing the importance of providing periodic updates to the families of those affected. In response, Katumba Wamala emphasized the need to preserve information to facilitate thorough and unbiased investigations.

Key provisions of the new law also enable the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to recognize agreements with third-party states, signatories to Article 83 Bis of the Chicago Convention, further strengthening international cooperation in the aviation sector.

The approval of this bill underscores Uganda’s commitment to enhancing air safety, ensuring compliance with global aviation standards, and fostering international cooperation in the aviation industry.