Uganda’s commitment to aviation safety is gaining regional recognition, as demonstrated by the participation of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) Director General, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, at the prestigious CANSO Africa Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, running from August 26-29, 2025.
His contribution to the panel on “the role of leadership in shaping and managing safety culture” positions Uganda as a thought leader in a sector where safety is paramount.
This engagement is a crucial step in ensuring that Uganda’s aviation sector not only meets but also helps to define international safety standards.
Fostering a Culture of Safety
During the panel discussion, Mr. Bamwesigye provided valuable insights on the critical role of leadership in fostering a strong safety culture.
He emphasised that for any aviation organisation, a deep-seated commitment to safety must come from the top and permeate every level of the operation.
He elaborated on the leadership behaviours most essential for this, including promoting transparency, accountability, and continuous learning from incidents. “This is particularly vital in aviation, where a single error can have catastrophic consequences,” he noted.
The Director General also addressed the significant challenges in aligning safety culture across diverse teams and stakeholders.
He observed that in a sector that involves multiple players, from pilots and air traffic controllers to maintenance crews and ground staff, ensuring that everyone shares the same safety values and protocols is a complex task.
His participation in the conference, which brought together about 100 delegates from various African and international Air Navigation Service Providers, highlights a shared commitment to addressing these challenges collaboratively.
He explained that by actively contributing to these high-level discussions, the UCAA is not only enhancing its own safety standards but also sharing its expertise with the rest of the continent.
In essence, Bamwesigye sent off a powerful signal that Uganda’s aviation sector is mature, professionally managed, and dedicated to upholding the highest safety standards, which is essential for attracting international air traffic and investment.