The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) on Friday held its third annual Iftar dinner at its Head Office to mark the holy month of Ramadan. The gathering brought together Muslim staff and key stakeholders in a spirit of unity, reflection, and gratitude, celebrating values of discipline, integrity, and community service.
In his remarks, UCAA Director General Fred K. Bamwesigye emphasized the importance of unity, discipline, empathy, and service to others principles inspired by Ramadan and equally vital in the aviation sector. He also addressed the ongoing disruptions in airline operations between Entebbe and the Middle East, noting that since February 28, 2026, several flights to Dubai, Sharjah, and Doha were unable to take off or land due to regional instability.
Affected carriers included Qatar Airways, Emirates, Flydubai, Air Arabia, and Uganda Airlines. Bamwesigye explained that while some services remain suspended, others have begun a phased resumption. Air Arabia has resumed flights to Sharjah, while Flydubai restarted its morning operations to Dubai and is maintaining that schedule, though evening flights are yet to return. He added that Flynas to Riyadh has continued operating throughout, while Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Uganda Airlines are still awaiting clearance to resume Dubai routes. Passengers were encouraged to stay in close contact with airlines for updates.
The event also featured remarks from Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, the first deputy supreme mufti of Uganda, who praised UCAA for consistently celebrating with the Muslim community during Ramadan. UCAA’s Director of Human Resource and Administration, Sabah Ahmed Kakooza, urged the faithful to intensify prayers for peace, particularly calling for an end to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
The dinner served not only as a spiritual gathering but also as a platform to reaffirm UCAA’s commitment to values that strengthen both community and aviation operations, even amid global challenges.
