Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki and her team launch the Flight Path Sustainability Project.
Uganda Airlines has officially launched the Flight Path Sustainability Project, a groundbreaking waste management initiative designed to enhance aviation safety and support environmental sustainability around Entebbe International Airport. This initiative, which aligns with the mission of ensuring safety in the skies, is set to mitigate bird strikes and foster sustainable practices within the surrounding communities.
Bird strikes pose a significant challenge to global aviation, costing the industry an estimated $1.2 billion annually. These incidents occur primarily during takeoff and landing, with up to 90% happening near airports.
Uganda Airlines, which operates from Entebbe International Airport, located near the bird-rich Mabamba Bay, is no exception, having recorded 21 bird strikes as of June 2024. Spur-winged geese, which frequent Lake Victoria’s shores in search of fish waste, are among the most common culprits. This initiative by Uganda Airlines’ is to address this persistent issue by reducing bird activity near flight paths and creating a safer environment for air travel.
The Flight Path Sustainability Project is anchored on four key objectives:
- Reducing Bird Strikes: The project targets a 40% decrease in bird concentration around Entebbe International Airport by implementing strategic waste management solutions to minimize bird-attracting debris.
- Environmental Conservation: Efforts will focus on protecting Mabamba Bay, a vital habitat for various bird species, while maintaining the ecological balance of the area.
- Sustainability: By promoting sustainable waste management practices, the project seeks to create a cleaner and safer environment for both aviation operations and the local community.
- Community Support: Special attention will be given to supporting women involved in fish trading along the shores of Lake Victoria, promoting better hygiene and waste management practices.
Kigungu Central, a community within Entebbe Municipality, lies in the critical flight path area and faces significant waste management challenges. With over 2,000 residents and a prominent fishing plant processing 4–5 tonnes of fish daily, the community generates substantial waste. Despite the plant’s adherence to waste disposal standards, plastic pollution and poor waste practices persist among residents and visitors.
The Flight Path Sustainability Project aims to inspire behavior change within this community by fostering good hygiene practices and promoting recycling, reusing, and reselling waste materials. For instance, fish scales, a non-biodegradable waste product, could be transformed into valuable raw materials for industries. Through mobilization efforts and partnerships, the project will elevate waste management standards and encourage sustainable practices.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Uganda Airlines as we launch the Flight Path Sustainability Project, reaffirming our commitment to aviation safety and environmental stewardship.” Bird strikes pose a serious challenge to aviation globally, and Entebbe International Airport is no exception. This project aims to reduce bird concentrations near our flight paths by 40%, ensuring safer skies for all. We are not just addressing safety; we are also taking a holistic approach to environmental conservation by protecting the Mabamba Bay ecosystem and promoting sustainable waste management practices. This initiative is about collaboration. We are working with key stakeholders, including local communities, to foster behavior change and support innovative recycling solutions such as repurposing fish scales as industrial raw materials. By supporting women fish traders along Lake Victoria’s shores, we aim to uplift livelihoods and improve sanitation in Kigungu and the surrounding areas. The Flight Path Sustainability Project is a testament to our dedication to not only advancing aviation but also contributing to Uganda’s broader sustainability goals,” said Uganda Airlines Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Bamuturaki.
According to Uganda Airlines Head of PR and Communications, Shakila Rahim Lamar, the Flight Path Sustainability Project is about tackling the root causes of bird strikes by addressing waste management challenges in communities near Entebbe Airport.
“We recognize that spur-winged geese and other birds are drawn to improperly disposed fish waste. Our solution is to minimize this attraction through sustainable waste practices. Public awareness is a key component of this project. We will engage the Kigungu community and the municipality to inspire a culture of recycling, reusing, and reselling waste materials. Our efforts will also focus on improving sanitation in the Kigungu area, benefiting the over 2,000 residents who rely on Lake Victoria for their livelihoods. This project demonstrates Uganda Airlines’ commitment to corporate social responsibility by combining aviation safety with community and environmental well-being. We are proud to lead this initiative and hope to inspire similar collaborations across the aviation industry and beyond,” said Shakila Lamar.
The Mayor of Entebbe Municipality, Fabrice Rulinda, commended Uganda Airlines for spearheading the Flight Path Sustainability Project, an initiative that directly addresses critical challenges in “our municipality.”
“Kigungu and other parts of Entebbe Municipality have long faced waste management challenges. This project provides an opportunity to transform how we manage waste in our community. The partnership between Uganda Airlines and our community will help reduce bird strikes, enhancing the safety of flights and protecting our local ecosystem in Mabamba Bay. Supporting women fish traders and improving hygiene practices will lead to significant improvements in the quality of life for residents in Kigungu and beyond. We are committed to working with Uganda Airlines and other stakeholders to ensure this project achieves its goals of creating a cleaner and safer environment for both our community and aviation. Let us all embrace this project with open hearts and minds, knowing it is not only about safety in the skies but also about sustainability and development for Entebbe Municipality,” said Rulinda.
This is expected to transform the areas surrounding Entebbe International Airport, ensuring safer skies and a sustainable future.
