Uganda Aviation Academy Ltd (UAA) has announced an ambitious expansion programme that will see the establishment of two new aviation training centres in Entebbe and Jinja, acquisition of eight training aircraft and installation of two advanced flight simulators in a major investment aimed at strengthening Uganda’s position as a regional aviation training hub.
The expansion, approved by the Academy’s Board of Directors chaired by Mrs. Yogi Birigwa, marks a significant milestone in the institution’s 15-year history and signals its ambition to become one of the largest private aviation training institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.
The development is expected to increase access to professional aviation education, expand student enrolment capacity and create new opportunities for Ugandans seeking careers in the aviation industry.
Under the expansion programme, the Academy plans to acquire four two-seat single-engine aircraft for introductory flight training, two four-seat single-engine aircraft for intermediate and advanced training, and two twin-engine aircraft to support advanced commercial pilot training and multi-engine ratings.
The investment will also include two advanced flight simulators designed to strengthen practical instruction for both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft operations.
Once the necessary regulatory approvals are secured, the expanded training capacity will support programmes leading to Private Pilot Licences (PPL), Commercial Pilot Licences (CPL), Instrument Ratings (IR) and Multi-Engine Ratings.
The Academy says it is pursuing international partnerships and structured financing arrangements to facilitate the acquisition of the aircraft, simulators and associated training infrastructure.
The two proposed training centres will serve complementary roles in the institution’s expansion strategy.
The Entebbe facility is expected to concentrate on airline operations, cabin crew training, aviation management, airport services, aviation safety and other professional aviation programmes.
Meanwhile, the Jinja Aviation Training Centre is planned as a major practical flight training hub, incorporating aircraft operations, flight simulation, ground-school instruction and technical training facilities.
The expansion builds on the Academy’s 15 years of experience in aviation education and professional skills development. Over the years, UAA has offered training in airline operations, cabin crew services, aviation safety, airport operations, travel and tourism, alongside other specialised professional programmes.
Board Chairperson Mrs. Yogi Birigwa described the expansion as a strategic investment in the future of aviation education, emphasising the institution’s commitment to international standards and the development of highly skilled professionals.
She said the Board’s approval reflects a long-term vision of transforming Uganda Aviation Academy into a centre of excellence capable of serving Uganda and the wider East and Central African region.
According to Birigwa, the investment in modern aircraft, advanced simulation technology and additional training facilities demonstrates the Academy’s determination to combine academic excellence with practical skills development.
Executive Director Rodney Mukula, who will oversee implementation of the programme, described the expansion as a transformational investment intended to make aviation education more accessible and internationally competitive.
Mukula said the Academy wants to reduce the pressure on Ugandan students who currently have to seek expensive professional aviation training opportunities abroad by strengthening local training capacity.
He added that the institution will work with international aircraft manufacturers, aviation training partners, financial institutions and regulatory authorities to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
Beyond the immediate investments in Entebbe and Jinja, the Academy has outlined an ambitious regional growth strategy that could see it establish specialised training campuses in Munyonyo, Ntinda and Mbarara, as well as expand into Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Bujumbura in Burundi.
The proposed regional network is intended to attract students from across East and Central Africa, positioning Uganda as an attractive destination for professional aviation education while opening opportunities for international partnerships and foreign exchange generation.
The expansion also comes at a time when investment in specialised technical education is increasingly important in preparing young people for skilled careers. By increasing domestic training capacity, UAA hopes to contribute to the development of Ugandan pilots, aviation managers, cabin crew and other professionals required across the aviation value chain.
The Academy has emphasised that the new flight training activities will be introduced in line with applicable Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) requirements, with relevant international training standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guiding its ambitions.
Operations involving the new aircraft and flight training facilities will commence after the necessary regulatory approvals, aircraft certification and operational readiness assessments.
After 15 years in the aviation education sector, Uganda Aviation Academy is now positioning itself for a new chapter defined by expanded infrastructure, modern training technology and regional ambitions.
If successfully implemented, the programme could strengthen Uganda’s capacity to train its own aviation professionals while attracting aspiring pilots and other aviation students from neighbouring countries.
For the Academy, the ambition is clear: to build a comprehensive aviation training institution that can compete beyond Uganda’s borders.
Its guiding motto remains: “AIM HIGH.”