Uganda has wrapped up a highly successful week of bilateral air services negotiations at the 17th ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN2025), securing expanded traffic rights and strengthened aviation ties with partners across five continents.
Led by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Deputy Director General Ms Olive Birungi Lumonya, the Ugandan delegation – which included representatives from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Airlines, and the East African Civil Aviation Academy – concluded six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and one revised Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).
New or updated agreements were initialled or signed with Argentina, Eswatini (review), Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Guyana, and a full BASA review with Qatar.
These accords will open new routes, increase frequency and capacity on existing ones, and allow both Ugandan and foreign carriers to operate scheduled commercial flights more freely, delivering greater passenger choice, stronger competition, and improved service quality.
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Speaking after the event, the UCAA hailed the outcomes as a major step forward in expanding Uganda’s global air connectivity, supporting tourism recovery, boosting trade links, and driving long-term growth for Uganda Airlines and the national aviation sector.
Uganda also actively contributed to wider discussions on global air transport policy, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and broader liberalization initiatives during the commemoration of Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) Day on 14 November.
The strong results from ICAN2025 underline Uganda’s proactive stance in building a more open, connected, and competitive African sky while deepening cooperation with partners in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
