The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), on Monday this week officially launched a five-day training on the ICAO Traveller Identification Programme (TRIP) Strategy, running from August 18-22, 2025.
This high-level training, held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, is a vital step in Uganda’s commitment to enhancing aviation safety and security amidst rapid growth in passenger traffic.
The program brings together 100 Ugandan officials from key sectors, including immigration, aviation, customs, and law enforcement, to ensure a unified approach to border security.
Focus on the Five Pillars of Global Security
The ICAO TRIP strategy is a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen identification management and facilitate secure and seamless travel. The training focuses on its five key pillars:
Evidence of identity: Ensuring the authenticity and credibility of a traveller’s identity.
Document issuance and control: Establishing secure processes for issuing travel documents and preventing their theft or misuse.
Machine-readable travel documents (MRTDs): Utilising standardised travel documents that can be read and verified electronically, such as ePassports.
Inspection systems and tools: Equipping border officials with advanced systems to efficiently verify travel documents.
Interoperable applications: Developing systems that allow for secure and reliable data sharing between different countries and agencies.
By training on these pillars, Uganda is bolstering its capacity to detect and prevent identity fraud, a critical component of global aviation security.
Building on a Strong Foundation
In his remarks, UCAA Director General Fred K. Bamwesigye highlighted the central importance of this training.
“Accurate identification and seamless facilitation remain central to aviation safety, border security, and the overall passenger experience,” he said.
Bamwesigye also highlighted Uganda’s impressive performance in the 2024 ICAO Security Audit, where the country scored 81.6%, significantly above the regional and global averages. This result reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to upholding global aviation security standards.
He noted that with Entebbe International Airport handling a remarkable 1.13 million international passengers in the first half of 2025 and ongoing expansion works, such training is crucial.
It ensures that as Uganda’s aviation sector grows and its security measures evolve in tandem, thereby guaranteeing the secure and efficient flow of both people and goods.
The collaboration between UCAA and ICAO is a proactive step toward a more secure, efficient, and sustainable future for Uganda’s aviation industry.