Uganda Airlines Spearheads Cleanup Initiative at Kigungu to Curb Bird Strikes
Uganda Airlines officials have led an initiative to clean up the lakeshore area near Lake Victoria in Kigungu, within the Entebbe Municipality, aiming to decrease incidents of birds colliding with aircraft.
As part of the carrier’s comprehensive flight path sustainability program, this effort seeks to reduce bird strikes at Entebbe International Airport by enhancing waste management practices and promoting environmental preservation.
The cleanup initiative, carried out in partnership with Kigungu residents and local community leaders, centered around gathering and disposing of waste responsibly, notably plastics and remnants from fish processing, which have significantly fueled avian presence in the region for years.
Historically, the buildup of waste along Lake Victoria’s shoreline has lured birds searching for nourishment, causing them to wander into airplane flight routes, which presents significant aviation safety hazards.
At the event, Shakilah Rahim Lamar, who leads Corporate Affairs and Public Relations at Uganda Airlines, highlighted the importance of this initiative.
“Seagulls are attracted to the refuse left along the shorelines, often resulting from fish processing operations. As Entebbe serves as a protected area for birds, it draws numerous avian visitors from nearby Mabamba Bay, thereby raising concerns about potential collisions with planes during ascent and descent phases. Such occurrences can result in significant delays and even cancelations due to damaged aircraft. This project seeks to encourage the local population in practicing eco-friendly disposal methods such as reusing, refurbishing, and recycling materials,” explained Shakilah.
She mentioned that the Flight Path Sustainability Project, initiated in November 2022, targets a 40% decrease in bird presence near the airport and encourages locally driven waste management strategies.
As stated by the Uganda Airlines representative, this initiative also fosters economic growth by converting waste into useful assets, thereby offering local inhabitants a chance to make a livelihood via recycling programs.
Uganda Airlines is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The airline feels that engaging local communities and stakeholders in programs like the Kigungu cleanup can significantly boost aviation safety while simultaneously enhancing sanitation and public health in nearby regions.
Authorities stated that this cleanup initiative will occur on the final Saturday of each month.
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