Uganda and other partner states under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) have agreed on key measures to reduce airfares and enhance regional air connectivity.
The 11th NCIP meeting, held in Kigali, Rwanda, on June 25 brought together heads of civil aviation authorities to discuss strategies aimed at making air travel more affordable and efficient for passengers across the region.
Uganda’s delegation, led by NCIP National Coordinator Ambassador Richard Kabonero, included the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Fred Bamwesigye, and other technical experts.
Among the major outcomes of the meeting was the agreement on Fifth Freedom Rights, allowing airlines to operate competitive routes, thereby lowering costs through increased competition.
Airlines will also pursue code-sharing and interline agreements with regional carriers to expand affordable flight options for travelers.
To further protect passengers from exploitative pricing, the meeting resolved to establish regional legislation by June 2026, regulating travel agents.
Uganda will also participate in a stakeholder summit in December 2025 to discuss potential reductions in Passenger Service Charges and Air Navigation fees, which could further drive down ticket prices.
Uganda’s is also committed to accelerating its accession to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) by December 2026. This move is expected to open up over 35 African destinations for Ugandan airlines, boosting trade and tourism.
The meeting also addressed airspace management and safety, with Entebbe’s Air Traffic Control Centre set to share real-time flight data with Nairobi, Kigali, and Juba through a new Distributed Aeronautical Database.
Improved radar coverage for border surveillance and a new civil-military coordination framework were also agreed upon to optimize airspace use.
Ambassador Kabonero hailed the meeting as a milestone, saying, “This translates regional cooperation into tangible outcomes for Ugandans: cheaper tickets, expanded routes, and world-class airspace management.”
He urged Uganda Airlines to prioritize the Entebbe-Kigali route as part of efforts to reduce fares while positioning Entebbe as a regional aviation hub.
The agreements are major step toward making air travel more accessible and affordable for travelers in Uganda and across the region.
