By Ambrose Gahene
Uganda is set to host the 9th Association of African Maritime Administration (AAMA) Assembly and Annual Conference in Kampala from 17th-19th November 2026. The revelation was made by Hon. Fred Byamukama, the Minister of Works and Transport while addressing Journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, on Tuesday.
Minister Byamukama said this conference presents an opportunity for African maritime administrations and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategic issues affecting the maritime sector, strengthen regional cooperation and advance a common agenda for the sustainable development of Africa’s maritime industry.
“The Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) was established under Article 5 of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter, which was adopted by the African Union in Kampala, Uganda, in 2010 as the coordinating organ for the implementation of the charter”, he said in a statement.
He said the Conference will attract high-level participation from across Africa and beyond including; the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Heads of African Maritime Administrations and Institutions, and other key maritime industry stakeholders.
The Conference will be held under the theme:
“From Policy to Practice: Advancing Africa’s Maritime Transformation through Effective Governance, Innovation and Sustainable Blue Economy.”
“The overall objective of the Conference is to strengthen collective African action for the effective implementation of maritime policies, standards and strategies, while harnessing innovation and sustainable Blue Economy opportunities to accelerate the transformation of Africa’s maritime sector”, he added.
Minister Byamukama, who was accompanied by Uganda Maritime commissioners at the press conference, said, Uganda recognizes the strategic importance of maritime transport in facilitating international trade, reducing the cost of doing business, creating employment and accelerating economic transformation.
“Government has actively participated in regional and continental engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation, amplifying Africa’s voice in global maritime affairs and building the institutional and human resource capacity required for the long-term development of our maritime sector”, he pointed out.
He enumerated some of the key areas of focus to include; establishment of a Regional Maritime University to equip our young people with the specialised skills and professional qualifications required to work aboard international vessels and establishment of a Regional Shipping Line to facilitate the movement of regional goods to international markets more efficiently at competitive costs among others.
He further stressed that marine cargo insurance Uganda now saves over UGX 270 billion through retaining marine cargo insurance business within the country, adding that the cost of transporting goods along Uganda’s trade corridors remains significantly high.
“For instance, the cost of road transport along the Mombasa–Kampala is at United States Dollars 1.8 per container per kilometer compared to the global average cost of United States Dollars 1”, further reads Minister Byamukama’s statement.
During question and answer session, in which journalists wanted minister Byamukama to shed light on the government’s interventions to curb boat accidents on major water bodies, he said his Ministry is committed to putting in place rescue boats in all water bodies.
“In addition, we have put in place a maritime hotline 110 for people to call for rescue in the event of boat passengers requiring urgent support while in the water”, he said.
He in addition said his Ministry has put in place water transport ferries on major water bodies across the country.
He pointed out major water transport developments to include; development of Bukasa Port as modern port at Bukasa in Wakiso District on Lake Victoria, to facilitate cargo transportation, particularly goods moving through the regional ports of Kisumu in Kenya and Mwanza in Tanzania, thereby strengthening Uganda’s integration into the regional maritime transport network.
“Government through my Ministry is rehabilitating and Upgrading Port Bell, Jinja Port and Ntoroko Port to enhance cargo and passenger handling capacity and improve operational efficiency”, further reads the statement.
