These incidents occur primarily during takeoff and landing with up to 90 percent happening near airports. Uganda Airlines, which operates from Entebbe International Airport that is 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 Vic- toria’s shores in search of fish waste, are among the most common culprits. Therefore, in order to mitigate this hazard, the airline has launched the Flight Path Sustainability Project, a waste management initiative designed to enhance aviation safety and support environmental sustainability around Entebbe International Airport.
The initiative aims to address the persistent issue by reducing bird activity near flight paths and creating a safer environment for air travel. While launching the project in Entebbe last week, Uganda Airlines CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki said the project targets a 40 per cent decrease in bird concentration around Entebbe International Airport by implementing strategic waste management solutions to minimize bird-attracting debris.
“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. 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,” she said.
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 four to five 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. In order to promote sustainable waste management practices and create a cleaner and safer environment for both aviation operations and the local community, the national carrier supported the fish traders with sanitation amenities such as a fish cleaning trough, head gears, aprons, gumboots and waste bins.
The mayor of Entebbe municipality, Fabrice Rulinda welcomed the initiative, saying it directly addresses critical challenges in their municipality since Kigungu and other parts of Entebbe municipality have long faced waste management challenges and, therefore, the project provides an opportunity to transform waste management in the community.
“Supporting 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,” Rulinda noted.
According to Uganda Airlines, the Flight Path Sustainability Project is expected to deliver several impactful outcomes such as cleaner shores of Lake Victoria through environmentally friendly disposal practices, enhanced sanitation for women in Entebbe municipality and Kigungu resulting in better quality of life and increased awareness and partnerships among key stakeholders to improve aviation safety while supporting local communities.
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