Uganda successfully concluded a highly productive series of bilateral air services negotiations at the 17th International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation (ICAN2025) event.
The outcomes, including agreements with nations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, significantly expand Uganda’s global reach, reaffirming its commitment to boosting trade, tourism, and long-term aviation growth.
Forging New Global Air Links
The Ugandan delegation, which included officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Airlines, and the East African Civil Aviation Academy, engaged with 10 states to solidify new partnerships and modernise existing agreements. The delegation, led by the UCAA Deputy Director General, Ms. Olive Birungi Lumonya, achieved crucial successes across four continents, which include;
New Agreements and Initialled BASA Texts (6 MOUs)
Uganda successfully signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the texts for Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) initialled with six nations. This process paves the way for commercial scheduled international flight operations between Uganda and these countries.
Americas: New BASAs were initiated with Argentina and Guyana, opening a new corridor between East Africa and South America and strengthening ties with the Caribbean.
Africa: A review of the BASA text was completed with Eswatini, modernising and expanding air services within the African continent.
Europe: New BASAs were initiated with the Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, expanding air access into the key Nordic market.
Strengthening Existing Ties (1 BASA Signed)
According to Ms. Lumonya, Uganda also formally signed a revised BASA with the State of Qatar. This agreement strengthens a vital partnership, ensuring modernised regulatory frameworks for one of the world’s most crucial global transit hubs.
Benefits for Uganda’s Aviation Sector
The successful conclusion of these BASAs is a direct win for Uganda’s national economic agenda. BASAs are essential instruments that facilitate commercial scheduled international flight operations, leading to:
Increased Air Connectivity: More direct and convenient routes for passengers and cargo.
Passenger Choice and Competition: Increased services drive market competition, resulting in lower fares and improved service quality for consumers.
Economic Boost: Enhanced connectivity directly supports the growth of tourism, trade, and investment across the country.
Championing Africa’s Digital Future
Beyond the bilateral negotiations, Uganda actively participated in crucial discussions on global air transport policy and liberalisation initiatives. The delegation engaged in dialogues concerning the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and other liberalisation strategies shaping the future of aviation during the celebration of YD Day (Youth Day) on November 14, 2025.
The comprehensive success at ICAN2025 reaffirms Uganda’s commitment to strengthening global air connectivity and solidifies its proactive approach to positioning the nation as a key economic gateway in the region.