EDITOR
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport (Maritime Department) and the Uganda Red Cross Society, has today conducted a vital search and rescue sensitization workshop in Kanungu District.
Held at Kanungu Resort Hotel in Eastern Ward, Kanungu Town Council, the workshop aimed to equip the public and key stakeholders with knowledge on how to effectively respond to air and water emergencies.
The training emphasized community involvement as a national obligation in search and rescue operations, focusing on using locally available resources to locate, assist, and care for those in distress.
Participants included representatives from the Uganda Police, UCAA officials, local government leaders, medical personnel, headteachers, and the Uganda Red Cross.
Kanungu RDC Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire, who officially opened the workshop, praised UCAA for its efforts and called for increased community collaboration in emergency response. He urged the public to report emergencies through the right channels for quick intervention.
Alexander Black Babimpa, a Senior Air Traffic Controller at Entebbe Airport, highlighted Kanungu District’s importance due to the high volume of international flights overhead. He stressed the need for integrating aerodrome emergency planning into local government budgets to enhance preparedness for potential aircraft incidents.
Isaac Kimbuguya, representing the Uganda Red Cross Society, advised first responders to prioritize treatment based on injury severity and to collaborate with security agencies, health centers, and the UPDF for coordinated rescue efforts.
Mayor Godfrey Karabenda of Kanungu Town Council applauded UCAA for choosing Kanungu and pledged to extend awareness campaigns to the grassroots. He also called on the government to invest in local aviation infrastructure, including establishing an airfield to improve emergency response capabilities.
