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Uganda is set to become a participant in the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) by the end of June, marking a significant step towards the integration of the continent’s aviation sector. This commitment was announced by Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Transport and Works, during the opening session of a meeting on SAATM held at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala.
The meeting, organized by various regional bodies including COMESA, the European Union, the Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), IGAD, and the East African Community, brought together representatives from twelve countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. Byamukama outlined Uganda’s intention to ratify its participation in SAATM following the full consideration of the matter by the Cabinet.
SAATM, an initiative of the African Union, aims to establish a unified air transport market across Africa, fostering greater connectivity and facilitating the movement of goods and people among member states. This initiative aligns with the AU’s Agenda 2063, a comprehensive development strategy aimed at promoting sustainable growth and development over the next fifty years.
Uganda’s decision to join SAATM comes in line with its broader commitment to develop the aviation industry, exemplified by the establishment of Uganda Airlines five years ago. By removing restrictions on air operators, SAATM seeks to stimulate growth in the aviation sector, contributing to regional economic development and integration.
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While addressing concerns about security and regulatory compliance, officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority assured that necessary measures, such as code-sharing agreements, have been implemented to ensure safety and operational efficiency within the framework of SAATM.
Emmanuel Butera Mwesigye, a specialist in consumer protection at AFCAC, highlighted the importance of encouraging more African countries to join SAATM to maximize its benefits. Currently, only thirty-seven out of fifty-six African countries have signed onto SAATM, with varying levels of implementation.
Athermon Ndikumaana, the deputy regional director of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for Eastern and Southern Africa, emphasized the need to harmonize regulations and remove barriers to facilitate the growth of the air transport industry under SAATM.
The workshop in Kampala marks the second in a series of meetings aimed at promoting SAATM, with plans for a continental workshop involving all five economic blocs in Africa. Observers like Dr. Osman Mohamed, the Director for Integration at IGAD, stressed the importance of air transport in reducing the continent’s reliance on road infrastructure, which comes with significant environmental and economic implications.
As Uganda prepares to join SAATM, it signals a broader commitment to regional integration and cooperation in the aviation sector, paving the way for increased connectivity and economic growth across Africa.
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