The govt has finally awarded an investment license to the Kajjansi-based Bar Aviation. The license entitles the company to a number of perks that include among others, tax breaks.
Minister of State for Investment and Privatization, Hon. Evelyn Anite handed over license to the company official on Friday, 18th/ August, 2023.
Hon. Evelyn Anite, Uganda’s State Minister for Investment & Privatization (front).
The minister commended Bar Aviation for the contribution they have made to the Ugandan Aviation and medical Industry and committed more Gov’t support to eliminate the different bottlenecks that the company is facing.
“Bar Aviation has done a lot for our air transport. They just told us that they have created over 150 direct jobs, and are not only providing passenger transport but also medical transportation.” She said.
“This license we are providing comes with investment packages which include tax exemptions such as cooperation tax and some of the income tax for some time. We think that with these incentives, Bar Aviation will be able to invest more and the sector expands.” She added.
Bar Aviation which has its base at Kajjansi airfield, has seen its fleet grow to 22 aircrafts and helicopters, with a new section of unmanned aerial vehicles to support the growing need for surveillance, mapping, and geographical surveys.
The company also operates a flight training school known as Kajjansi flying school which has so far passed out over 300 graduates.
Speaking at the event, Dorothy Kagaba Byenkya the marketing manager of the Bar Aviation said that despite of these strides, they still face a number of challenges that not only make it difficult to operate but also reflect negatively on the national Aviation industry especially to tourists and investors.
Among these, she said that the Kajjansi-Bweya Road is very bumpy constraining ease of travel to and from Kajjansi airfield.
She also noted the short length and ‘dirt’ composition of Kajjansi, which runway makes it difficult for bigger aircraft to use the facility as an alternative root to Entebbe airport in case of emergency but also to decongest Entebbe as only international airport in Uganda.
“Government can look into developing Kajjansi aerodrome into an entry and exit point and expanding the facility as an alternative aerodrome for Entebbe.” She said.
“We believe that addressing these challenges will access to air transportation but also paint a positive image to the country from investors/tourist and allow for surrounding local investments to grow.” She added.