Education is an important part of our lives as it is often the very difference between leading a good life and not. This is ever more true when we talk about higher education since it is at this point that one gets to specialize in the field that they will likely be employed in for the rest of their life, in this case aviation.
As Uganda’s flights economy expands, people are asking the question of which aviation school to attend. In the ensuing discussion about the top aviation schools in Uganda, we will look at the uniqueness that the schools shared about carry, the kinds of courses offered there, what former students and students make of them, track records etc.
Top 10 Best Aviation Schools in Uganda
1. DAS Aviation School
DAS aviation school is one of the best aviation schools in Uganda.
Located in Entebbe Sebugwawo Drive, this school is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited school and an IATA authorized training center. Classes there are conducted both indoors as well as through hands on teaching e.g. on job training arrangements.
The two approaches also follow modern standards for best delivery.
The courses offered at the DAS are divided into two broad categories; the main ones, and then the ones that are short. Also, some fall in aviation strictly but others extend to tourism and hospitality in general. Examples of the main studies are; Cabin Crew, Flights Operation Officer’s course, Advanced Marketing, Pricing and Ticketing etc.
The short ones include; Dangerous Goods Regulations, Safety Management Systems Fundamentals, Transport of Pharma Products and Vaccines by Air etc. The latter can be as short as one week.
DAS is unique in a sense that they are affiliates of DAS handling company which is a grounds services handling company at Entebbe International airport. This simplifies the access of students to real-time real life scenarios.
2. Pangea Aviation Academy
Studying at Pangea Aviation Academy (PAA) comes with a guarantee of benefiting from the broad experience extending thirty plus years that the institution has benefited from since its establishment in 1997.
Testament to this is the fact that several of the school’s alumni have been employed in the airline industry both locally and regionally including as pilots.
In Uganda, PAA old boys and girls have come to be employed by the national army (Uganda People’s Defense Forces), Uganda Police Force, as well as the national passenger carrier. This explains why some of their courses require a security clearance check by government prior to attending them.
Examples of courses that Pangea Aviation offers include; Pilot license (both private and commercial), Reconnaissance Pilot/Camera Operator, Advanced Night Vision Goggle Helicopter Course, Instrument Rating etc.
The location of the school is Kajjansi Airfield (along Kajjansi-Lutembe road).
3. East African Civil Aviation Academy
While located in Uganda, the school takes its name from the fact that it was founded during the glory days of the East African Community (EAC). Along with the government of Uganda, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the United Nations Development Programme, the EAC spearheaded the establishment of the school as a way of addressing the staff shortages that the community was facing at the time. This was in 1977 which makes the academy the oldest of its kind in the country.
In the ensuing years, the East African Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA) also known as Soroti Flying School has undergone several transformations but all in all, it has proven to be resilient hence its continued existence. Today, it is especially focused on training pilots as well as aircraft maintenance engineers.
As testament to its excellence, several of EACAA’s former students are now employed by Uganda Airlines including Robert Wakhweya, the current Chief Pilot, Michael Etiang (is the former Chief Pilot), and Vanita Kayiwa the First Officer on the CRJ900ER and Airbus A330-841.
As it stands, the government of Uganda is the proprietor of Soroti Flying School.
4. Kubis Aviation College
The school is located in Kajjansi which is convenient as it is near Entebbe International Airport. It is privately owned and the classes there follow the standards of the International Air Transport Association as well as the Approved Training Organization.
Their area of focus include operations, safety, planning, and weather analysis. The specific courses are; Cabin Crew, Passenger Ground Services, Aviation Security etc. Teaching at Kubis employs modern facilitation including the employment of simulations as a way of navigating nuances that are otherwise difficult to relay to learners. Additionally, students get to have hands-on practice.
It is no surprising then that their students have come out on top. This includes being employed at international airports as well as working for major airline companies.
Kubis equally understands that school is not just about class and so, comfortable apartments are provided for the students. This package comes with meals too.
5. Jojam Aviation Academy
The school is located in Katabi Entebbe. Founded on the values of integrity, teamwork, excellence, and safety, Jojam is definitely worth checking out. The learning there follows worldwide accepted standards including those of the International Civil Aviation Organization as well as by IATA.
Jojam has at its disposal the most complex of technologies in the industry to train their learners with be it when it comes to laboratories, digital tools, or avionics.
Even better, the persons that guide learners about how it all works are seasoned aviation experts with reputations that precede them. For proper education, the student-teacher ratio is kept at 8:1.
For a wholesome experience, the school secures internship for students with industry partners, organizes career talks with guests that are already in the field, hosts innovation challenges etc.
The courses taught are Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering among others while the awards offered include certificates, diplomas, and degrees.
6. Uganda Aviation School
This was the first private flying school to be established in the country (2011). It was first stationed in Soroti but has since relocated to Metropole House, Entebbe Road.
Training at the institution is distinct and for this, many individuals who studied there are now employees at not just airlines on the continent, but international ones too. The list of the companies that former students work or have worked includes; Etihad airways, Kenya Airways, Qatar, Emirates, Rwandair etc.
Examples of courses to expect at the institution are; Airline Cabin Crew, Airline Security Awareness, and Airline Customer Service. Uniquely, Uganda Aviation School (UAS) benefits from the leadership of prominent leaders including captains Michael Mukula (Chancellor) and Francis Babu (Vice Chancellor).
UAS has had its own set of controversies with government including when in 2018 the Chancellor accused Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCA) for failing to grant the teaching body an Air Operators Certificate. UCCA responded by saying that UAS had never submitted any requests to them.
7. Moriah Aviation Training Center
Located along Bubuli road in Entebbe, Moriah Aviation Training Center (MATC) has set “To be the preferred trainer in Africa” as her vision and “Limits beyond the sky” as the motto. This has in turn compelled the school to deliver results that are remarkable.
The courses offered at the school rotate around operations, safety, logistics etc.as related to the airline industry. To make sure that the best is given out to students, Moriah outsources experienced instructors as tested by industry dynamics.
Special emphasis is had on results as well which is why information technology is employed and results oriented modalities encouraged.
MATC is also relatively affordable both as regards to the other schools on this list but also the quality of education and the opportunities that going through the school offers.
Bonus List Of Aviation Schools in Uganda
- SpaceTech: the school’s mission is; “To be a worldwide outstanding Aviation training centre of excellence.” It is located in Najjanankumbi.
- Aero Consultants: the school is found in Entebbe and is UCCA accredited.
- Vine Air Flight Academy: found in Jinja, the school is UCCA accredited as well.
I’m an aeronautical engineer (B1.1 License), a fan of travel, technology, and entrepreneurship. I’m also interested in writing and programming.