Uganda is hosting a high-level three-day Validation Workshop focused on the follow-up study for the development and implementation of a strategic plan to support and strengthen Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) and Regional Accident and Incident Investigation Organizations (RAIOs) in the African (AFI) region.
The workshop, running from April 28 to 30, 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, is being conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Speaking at the opening session, Arthemon Ndikumana, Deputy Regional Director of the ICAO Eastern and Southern African Regional Office, emphasized ICAO’s continued prioritization of global aviation safety.
“It is only through strong cooperation and meaningful engagement that we can collaboratively advance our common goal of ensuring a safe, secure, and efficient global aviation system,” he said.
He added, “Regional Safety Oversight Organisations (RSOOs) continue to play a key role in this endeavour. By harmonising safety oversight efforts at the regional level, RSOOs support the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in accordance with the Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) and the Regional Aviation Safety frameworks.”
Ndikumana noted that in March 2017, ICAO and EASA jointly organized the first RSOO Forum in Ezulwini, Eswatini, resulting in a Ministerial Declaration by 13 African Ministers of Civil Aviation. A key recommendation from that declaration was the development of a strategic plan and roadmap to strengthen the effectiveness of RSOOs in Africa.
To implement this, ICAO’s AFI Plan conducted an initial study that laid the foundation for identifying actions to ensure RSOO effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability. However, during the 2nd AFI RSOOs Global Forum in Nairobi (October 2023), stakeholders raised concerns about existing funding structures and organizational configurations.
“Accordingly, the Forum recommended that the Strategic Plan and Roadmap be reviewed and updated through a robust feasibility analysis that would examine the advantages and drawbacks of the various options presented,” Ndikumana explained.
“In line with this recommendation, EASA contracted a consultant to carry out the feasibility study, the results of which will be presented during the workshop.”
He emphasized that participants’ feedback is essential to validate the study and ensure that the roadmap is actionable and aligned with the needs of AFI States.
“The strategy and roadmap that emerge from this process must be actionable, and its success will depend heavily on the commitment and support of key stakeholders, including the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), and the African Union Commission (AUC).”
Fred Bamwesigye, Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), also spoke at the workshop’s opening, affirming Uganda’s commitment to regional aviation safety noting that given the diversity of capacities and resources across States, RSOOs offer a structured and cooperative platform for shared expertise, best practices, harmonized oversight processes, and mutual assistance.
He added, “Uganda is a Partner State of the EAC RSOO – CASSOA. We have benefited from CASSOA through technical support, capacity building, and harmonisation of the regulatory framework, among others.”
Bamwesigye noted that the validation workshop marks a key milestone in shaping practical and sustainable institutional arrangements for RSOOs across Africa.
“Uganda remains committed to regional cooperation in civil aviation. We believe that through unified action, shared responsibility, and continued engagement with ICAO, partner organisations, and other States, we can further enhance our collective capacity to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety.”
He also reaffirmed UCAA’s full support for the initiative and its readiness to work with all partners toward safer skies in Africa.
