Minister Azuba calls on Ugandans to join aviation

The minister of works and transport Monica Azuba Ntege and aviators have called on Ugandans to join flying schools to take on the available opportunities in the industry.

In an interview with the New Vision, Azuba said the love for air transport is increasing, leading to more demand for pilots and other aviators worldwide.

The call comes shortly after President Yoweri Museveni witnessed the arrival of the first two Uganda Airlines planes last week.

Uganda ordered for four Bombardier CRJ900 planes each costing $27.3m (sh102.5b) and two Airbus A330-800neo planes for the revival of the country's airline.

"Why should we have pilots from outside the country when we can train not only our own but also those that can fly ‘birds' elsewhere," she asked.

Azuba said though many are scared about the high costs of tuition in flying schools, the government is discussing how to solve this.

She advised students interested in aviation professions to always go for the available scholarships especially those who have difficulty in raising tuition.

Capt. Stephen Eriaku the chief flight instructor at PANGEA Aviation Academy, encouraged students to take up flying courses so as to bridge the gap that is likely to occur as Uganda Airlines continues to grow.

He added that by next year, most of the pilots in the country will be employed by the national airline.

"For the first two planes, Uganda Airlines has employed 24 pilots. It is likely that more than 60 pilots will be employed after the Airbus planes arrive," he said.

Eriaku made the remarks during the first annual aviation open day that was organised by PANGEA Aviation Academy at their facility at Kajjansi, Wakiso district.

PANGE Aviation Academy marketing manager Dorothy Kagaba taking people on a tour of the school's facility at Kajjansi Airfield. Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda

The open day was organised to not only enlighten aviation aspirants but also the entire public about the industry and the opportunities there.

Eriaku said in the past 41 years, Uganda has trained about 1600 pilots. He said some are flying in companies outside the country while others are employed in various companies and flying schools here.

He added that all people that take on aviation courses, especially pilots, have a high chance of getting employed.

The president of air traffic controllers, Tony Ssenkubuge, said people should not fear the aviation market saying there is a shortage of aviators in the world.

"As we talk now Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is looking for ways of retaining us, not that conditions we work in is bad, but other companies are offering better opportunities," Ssenkubuge told the gathering.

PANGEA Aviation Academy chief flight instructor Capt. George Mazige said Ugandans should stop saying aviation courses are expensive, saying they are worthy.

"If a student and his or her sponsor plan for the course earlier, tuition is easy to manage. After school, one can get back the money they inject in quickly as aviation jobs are well paying," he said.

Qualifications

According to CAA approach traffic control officer Andrew Bogere, for one to join aviation school, they must have passed mathematics with a credit at both ordinary and advanced levels.

Bogere said aspirants must also have passed geography and with some physics knowledge for aviation engineers.

He, however, cautioned students against enrolling in any schools they find, adding that some are not licensed and may hinder them achieving their dreams.

He advised them to look out for information about the schools they plan to join from authorities like CAA.