Africa Moves to Reinforce Fair Skies as UCAA Hosts High-Level Aviation Competition Workshop

The Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Fred K. Bamwesigye, has called for stronger regulatory frameworks to ensure fair competition across Africa’s rapidly liberalizing aviation sector.

Speaking at the opening of a high-level continental workshop at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Bamwesigye underscored the urgent need to match the continent’s “open skies” ambitions with robust competition policies.

The three-day workshop, themed “Drafting, Revising, and Implementing Competition Regulations in Air Transport Services in Africa,” is organized by the African Civil Aviation Commission in partnership with the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law and funded by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. It runs from May 6 to 8, 2026, and forms part of broader efforts to operationalize the Single African Air Transport Market under the Yamoussoukro Decision.

Balancing Liberalization with Fair Competition 

In his keynote address, Bamwesigye noted that while Africa has made significant progress in liberalizing its air transport market, the absence of harmonized and enforceable competition regulations risks undermining these gains.

“Open skies must be matched with fair competition,” he emphasized, warning that weak regulatory oversight could lead to market distortions, anti-competitive practices, and reduced consumer protection.

He highlighted the importance of establishing strong legal and institutional frameworks to safeguard airline competition, protect passengers, and ensure a level playing field across the continent. 

Uganda’s Progress and Commitment

Bamwesigye reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to building a transparent and competitive aviation sector, outlining key milestones already achieved. These include the enactment of a national Competition Act in 2024, the establishment of a dedicated Consumer Protection Unit within UCAA, and the development of draft competition and consumer protection regulations aligned with continental standards.

While Uganda has not yet fully acceded to SAATM, he revealed that the country is actively taking steps toward membership. These include ongoing stakeholder consultations and preparations for Cabinet consideration, signaling a deliberate move toward deeper integration into Africa’s unified air transport framework.

Building Continental Capacity

The workshop has drawn a diverse group of participants, including aviation regulators, legal experts, and representatives from Regional Economic Communities across Africa. Its primary objective is to strengthen technical capacity and foster a shared understanding of the legal and economic principles underpinning fair competition in air transport.

Participants are engaging in technical sessions, comparative legal analysis, and practical drafting exercises designed to equip them with the tools needed to develop and enforce effective competition regulations. The training also aims to enhance coordination among national and regional institutions while promoting harmonized regulatory approaches across African markets.

Advancing SAATM Implementation 

Bamwesigye commended AFCAC and its partners for their continued leadership in advancing Africa’s aviation regulatory capacity. He urged all SAATM signatory states to accelerate implementation efforts, stressing that full operationalization of the framework is essential for unlocking the continent’s aviation potential.

The workshop represents a critical step in aligning national regulations with continental goals, ensuring that Africa’s air transport liberalization is not only expansive but also fair, sustainable, and beneficial to consumers and industry players alike.

As Africa pushes toward greater connectivity and economic integration, initiatives such as this workshop highlight the growing recognition that fair competition will be central to the long-term success of the continent’s aviation sector.