Historic IFATSEA Africa Meeting Ends with Call for Stronger ATSEP Capacity and Drone Integration
Delegates engaged in a series of high-level discussions and technical sessions that delved into transformative technologies shaping the global and regional aviation landscape.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), in collaboration with the Uganda Air Traffic Safety Electronics Association (UGATSEA), has officially concluded the 15th International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA) Africa Regional Meeting at the prestigious Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo.
The three-day conference, held from June 17 to 19, 2025, drew over 100 aviation safety professionals, engineers, and stakeholders from across the African continent and beyond. Themed “Digital Transformation in CNS/ATM: Strengthening ATSEP Competencies for a Safer and Sustainable Future,” the forum served as a vital platform for dialogue on innovation, capacity building, and regional collaboration in aviation safety.
Delegates engaged in a series of high-level discussions and technical sessions that delved into transformative technologies shaping the global and regional aviation landscape. Topics covered included:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing role in air traffic systems,
Cybersecurity measures for safer skies,
Predictive maintenance tools to reduce downtime and improve reliability,
Use of drone technology in flight calibration, a rising innovation for cost-effective navigation services.
These sessions underscored the critical role of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEPs) in ensuring the safety, integrity, and efficiency of Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems across Africa.
In his official closing remarks, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye, Director General of UCAA, expressed deep appreciation to the participants and reaffirmed UCAA’s commitment to promoting innovation and professional excellence in aviation safety:
“We have explored vital themes around digital transformation in CNS/ATM and the need to strengthen ATSEP competencies to support a safer and sustainable future for aviation in Africa. The discussions have been rich, the technical sessions enlightening, and the shared experiences truly inspiring.”
Mr. Bamwesigye also highlighted UCAA’s continued support for regional collaboration, particularly commending the growing consensus on the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for flight calibration as a forward-looking solution to improve air navigation service delivery while reducing operational costs.
The event also marked a historic occasion with Eng. Frank Kofi of Ghana being recognized as the first African President of IFATSEA. Mr. Bamwesigye hailed his election as a "symbolic milestone for the continent," reflecting Africa’s rising leadership in global aviation safety matters.
UCAA extended heartfelt thanks to the event’s sponsors and technical partners, including:
Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS),
ACAMS Airport Tower Solutions,
SITTI,
and JOTRON.
Gratitude was also expressed to all participating states and regional representatives, especially delegations from Angola, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gambia, Niger, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, DRC, Kenya, and Tanzania, whose strong presence and engagement helped shape the success of the meeting.
