Uganda Urges Somalia to Finalise Bilateral Air Service Agreement

Uganda is pushing for the finalisation of a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Somalia to allow Uganda Airlines to formally operate through Somali airspace. Speaking during the mid-term review of the Uganda–Somalia Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Mogadishu, Ugandan officials stressed that genuine regional integration requires robust transport frameworks alongside customs and tariff harmonization.

Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, the Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that negotiations regarding the air service pact should be concluded promptly so that the agreement can be signed. The proposed air deal has been pending since the second JPC session held in Kampala in October 2025. Currently, Uganda Airlines operates direct flights connecting Entebbe and Mogadishu, and the formalization of the BASA will provide clear regulatory boundaries, safety protocols, and operational rights governed by International Civil Aviation Organization standards.

The push for the air service agreement coincides with expanding trade ties between the two East African Community nations. Official trade data indicates that Uganda’s formal exports to Somalia have more than doubled in recent years, driven by commodities such as tobacco, wood products, and aircraft parts. Furthermore, financial linkages remain strong, supported by significant remittances and an active Somali business community operating inside Uganda.

Beyond aviation, delegations are reviewing draft memoranda of understanding covering customs, health, military training, statistics, and standards assurance. Gen Henry Tumukunde, Uganda’s Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, emphasized that removing non-tariff barriers and harmonizing regulations will unlock deeper regional value chains and deliver tangible economic benefits for citizens of both nations.

Read more about the developments from the Daily Monitor.