Uganda Civil Aviation Authority

What Uganda Civil Aviation Authority does

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is a Government Statutory Entity established in 1991 under the Ministry of Works and Transport of Uganda. It serves as both the sole regulator of civil aviation and the primary airport operator in the country. UCAA manages Entebbe International Airport (Uganda's primary international gateway, currently expanding from 2 million to 3.5 million annual passenger capacity), the under-development Kabalega International Airport in Hoima district, and 13 upcountry aerodromes spanning Soroti, Tororo, Kasese, Mbarara, Kisoro, Lira, Gulu, Arua, Jinja, Pakuba, Moroto, Masindi, and Kidepo. The authority also delivers air navigation services within Uganda's Flight Information Region.

UCAA's core service portfolio comprises airport operations and infrastructure management, air navigation and air traffic services, aeronautical information services (AIS), the State Safety Programme, and licensing/regulatory certification of air operators, personnel, and aircraft. The technology backbone includes a fully commissioned automation platform — Airport Operations Database (AODB), Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), Terminal Operations Control Centre (TOCC), Air Traffic Services Message Handling Services (AMHS) with regional interoperability into Kenya and Tanzania, integrated CCTV security systems, automated temperature scanners for health screening, and e-services portals for air services licensing and consumer protection reporting.

UCAA generates revenue through transaction-fee-based streams: airport charges (passenger fees, landing fees, parking fees — including revised car parking rates effective November 1, 2024), air services licensing fees, and regulatory and certification fees. The customer base consists of 18 international scheduled operators, 26 total licensed operators, cargo shippers, general aviation users, and airport stakeholders (ground handling, retail, security). Strategic partners include ICAO, KOICA, Exim Bank of China, Kiira Motors, EAC-CASSOA, AFCAC, Uganda Airlines (the national carrier), and other government ministries. As a statutory body, UCAA is wholly owned by the Government of Uganda and is not listed on any stock exchange.

Name

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority

Legal name

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority

Website

https://caa.go.ug

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is a government statutory entity regulating civil aviation and operating Entebbe International Airport, the developing Kabalega International Airport, and 13 upcountry aerodromes for airlines, passengers, and cargo operators across Uganda.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Regulatory Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Air Traffic Control (488111)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Flight Operations Control & Dispatch (OCC/IOCC) (THABAIAA)

Keywords

• Civil aviation regulation
• Airport operations
• Air navigation services
• Aviation licensing
• Aerodrome management

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Airport Charges and Fees: Revenue generated from various airport charges including passenger fees, landing fees, parking fees, and other aeronautical charges at Entebbe International Airport and 13 upcountry aerodromes
2. Air Services Licensing Fees: Fees collected from airline operators applying for and renewing Air Services Licenses for domestic and international operations
3. Regulatory and Certification Fees: Fees from licensing air operators, personnel licensing, aircraft airworthiness certification, and other regulatory services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is the Government of Uganda's statutory authority responsible for regulating civil aviation and managing aviation infrastructure in the country. UCAA operates Entebbe International Airport and Kabalega International Airport (under development) as well as 13 upcountry aerodromes, delivers air navigation and air traffic services within Uganda's Flight Information Region, and licenses/certifies air operators, aviation personnel, and aircraft. It also administers the State Safety Programme, consumer protection, bilateral air services agreements, and search and rescue coordination.

Product overview

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) operates as a government statutory authority managing civil aviation in Uganda. The organization oversees two international airports (Entebbe and Kabalega/Hoima), 13 upcountry aerodromes, and provides air navigation services across the Flight Information Region. The core infrastructure includes Entebbe International Airport (primary hub with expansion from 2M to 3.5M passenger capacity) and Kabalega International Airport (under development). UCAA's service portfolio encompasses air navigation services, the State Safety Programme, Aeronautical Information Service, and Air Services Licensing. Digital services include an E-Services Portal, ASCRS Reporting System, Air Services Licensing System, and the Airport Operations Database (AODB) integrated with Terminal Operations Control Centre (TOCC) and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). The authority also provides consumer protection services and publishes Technical Guidance Material for industry stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Entebbe International Airport

Quantifiable outcome

• 243,089 international passengers handled in single month (August record)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kiira Motors CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2025Partnership for locally manufactured electric vehicle supply. UCAA received first Kayoola EVS airport shuttle bus from Kiira Motors, supporting Uganda's Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Target by 2050, Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy, and Science Technology Innovation agenda. The electric bus eliminates diesel dependency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions while promoting local industrialization.
• ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Annual platform for States to negotiate air transport agreements. Uganda concluded successful negotiations at ICAN 2024 in Kuala Lumpur and ICAN 2025 in Punta Cana, aiming to secure landing rights and expand air connectivity.
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN specialized agency providing global standards for civil aviation. Uganda elected to ICAO Council for 2025-2028 term with 155 votes. Capacity Development and Implementation Agreement signed in May 2024 for expert support, project management, and training including development of National Air Navigation Plan.
• Uganda AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational carrier operating under regulatory oversight of UCAA. Strategic meetings held between UCAA Management and Uganda Airlines Acting CEO to strengthen collaboration. UCAA congratulated airline on Boeing aircraft acquisition agreement. Airline expanding routes including London Gatwick, Lusaka, Abuja, Harare.
• East African Community Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (EAC-CASSOA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional agency coordinating aviation safety and security oversight across EAC member states. UCAA participates in collaborative initiatives and capacity building programs including CAPSCA visits and regional workshops.
• African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized agency of African Union responsible for civil aviation matters. UCAA hosted AFCAC workshop on drafting competition regulations in air transport and participated in CORSIA workshops with EU-CORSIA Africa project.
• Uganda Wildlife AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operations with UWA and other security agencies to combat wildlife trafficking at Entebbe Airport. Aviation Police handed over 8,857.84 kg of confiscated wildlife products including ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horns. Canine unit deployed since 2018 to detect contraband.
• Ministry of Works and TransportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent ministry overseeing UCAA. Joint hosting of 48th East African Consultative Meeting on Facilitation of Air Transport, National Air Transport Facilitation Committee meetings, and collaboration on transport policy and infrastructure development.
• Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint efforts on public health measures at Entebbe Airport including Ebola screening, thermal screening installations, and CAPSCA capacity building visits. Three thermal screeners donated by Ministry and IOM positioned at airport.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA): Tanzania's statutory civil aviation regulator. Directly comparable to UCAA in scope of regulatory mandate, ISO 9001:2015 certification timing, and ICAO Council presence; both manage the principal international gateway (Julius Nyerere / Kilimanjaro) and a national airfield network.
• Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA): National civil aviation regulator and airport operator for Kenya. Directly comparable as a regional peer managing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and other airfields under a statutory mandate; both authorities share AMHS interconnectivity and ICAO Council membership.
• South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA): Statutory regulator for South African civil aviation. Directly comparable statutory structure and regulatory scope, though operating at substantially greater scale across a multi-airport national system.
• Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA): Federal civil aviation regulator of Nigeria with comparable dual regulatory and airspace management mandate. Comparable in serving a single national market with multiple international gateways and a network of domestic airfields.
• Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA): Rwanda's civil aviation regulator operating Kigali International Gateway. Comparable as an East African peer with similar dual regulator/operator mandate, smaller scale airfield network, and dependency on a single international gateway.

Broad incumbents

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): U.S. national civil aviation authority. Comparable as a regulator and airspace manager, though vastly larger in scope, budget, and infrastructure footprint. Sets global ICAO-aligned standards UCAA adopts.
• European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): Pan-European aviation safety regulator. Comparable regulatory scope and ICAO-aligned standards framework; useful as a structural model for safety oversight that UCAA benchmarks against.

Regional players

• Kenya Airports Authority (KAA): State-owned airport operator in Kenya, separated from KCAA. Relevant as a model of how UCAA could restructure if its dual regulator/operator mandate is split, and as a regional benchmark for airport expansion economics.
• African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC): AU specialized agency for African civil aviation matters. UCAA actively participates in AFCAC workshops and hosts its continental competition-regulation drafting. Relevant as the regional coordination body governing UCAA's continental engagement.

Others

• Entebbe International Airport: Actually operated by UCAA itself; included for completeness as the principal asset under its management. Not a peer entity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UgandaCAA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Ugandacaa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uganda-civil-aviation-authority

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Uganda Civil Aviation Authority