Uganda Airlines doubles down on Flight Path Sustainability initiative

April 4, 2025 in Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

The clean-up will become a regular event, taking place on the last Saturday of every month

 

Michael Wakabi

A community cleanup at the Kigungu landing site settlement on March 29, demonstrated Uganda Airlines continuing commitment to its Flight Path Sustainability initiative, launched last November at Kasenyi landing site a few nautical miles east of Entebbe international Airport. Community members joined Uganda Airlines staff and other stakeholder to collect waste and dispose of it properly in designated places.

Kigungu, on the port side of the southern tip of Runway 17/35, poses an elevated bird hazard to aviation during the take-off and landing phases of flights, because of its close proximity to the tarmac.

Uganda Airlines hopes that getting communities within the vicinity of the airport to embrace improved waste management practices, can mitigate this hazard because well-managed waste will reduce the number of birds within the flightpath. That would be a plus for aviation safety, while the community gets to live in a more sanitised environment contributing to healthier lives and better ambiance.

The clean-up event, conducted in collaboration with Kigungu residents and local community leaders, focused on the collection and proper disposal of waste, particularly plastic and fish-processing byproducts, which have long contributed to bird activity in the area. A bird sanctuary that is home to both endemic and migratory types, the accumulation of garbage along the shores of Lake Victoria at Entebbe, has historically attracted birds that, during their search of food, stray into aircraft flight paths, posing serious safety risks to aviation.

“Birds are drawn to the waste dumped on the shores, particularly from fish cleaning activities. Entebbe, being a bird sanctuary, attracts many birds flying in from Mabamba Bay, which increases the risk of bird strikes during takeoff and landing. These incidents cause costly disruptions, leading to grounded aircraft and flight cancellations. Through this initiative, we aim to support the community in adopting sustainable waste management practices, including the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of their waste,” Shakilah Rahim Lamar, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations at Uganda Airlines, told community members.

Through the Flight Path Sustainability Project, Uganda Airlines aims to reduce bird concentrations around the airport by 40pc by promoting community-led waste management solutions. The project also provides economic opportunities by transforming waste into valuable resources, creating an avenue for residents to earn a living through recycling initiatives.

The airline believes that involving local communities and stakeholders in initiatives such as the Kigungu clean-up can greatly enhance aviation safety while also improving sanitation and public health in the neighbouring areas. The clean-up will become a regular event, taking place on the last Saturday of every month.