The Government of the Republic of Uganda, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, is honoured to announce that we shall be hosting the 9th Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) Annual Conference and General Assembly in Kampala from the 17th 19th November 2026, at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
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 to 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.
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.
The Government of Uganda recognises the strategic importance of maritime transport in facilitating international trade, reducing the cost of doing business, creating employment and accelerating economic transformation.
Consequently, 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. Some of the key areas of focus include the following:
Establishment of a Regional Maritime University to equip our young people with the specialised skills and professional qualifications required to work aboard international vessels. Currently, Africa accounts for only 4% of the global sea workforce which is an opportunity for Uganda to export skilled labour to the shipping industry, thus reducing unemployment levels for our people.
Establishment of a Regional Shipping Line to facilitate the movement of regional goods to international markets more efficiently at competitive costs. This will strengthen our participation in global supply chains, improve trade connectivity and reduce our dependence on costly foreign shipping lines.
On marine cargo insurance Uganda now saves over UGX 270 billion through retaining marine cargo insurance business within the country.
The cost of transporting goods along our 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.
In this regard, inland water transport remains a strategic priority because of its potential to reduce the cost of cargo transportation, improve connectivity, stimulate economic activity in lakeside communities and reduce pressure on our road infrastructure. The key government interventions include the following:
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.
Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Port Bell, Jinja Port and Ntoroko Port to enhance cargo and passenger handling capacity and improve operational efficiency.
Strengthening Inland Water Transport Safety and Regulatory Frameworks
Establishment of Search and Rescue infrastructure: the Government has established five search and rescue centres strategically located across the country’s major water bodies equipped with rescue boats and safety communication equipment. These centres will be coordinated through a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Entebbe to strengthen emergency response, improve coordination of rescue operations and enhance the protection of lives on our waters.
Establishment of a Maritime Survival Training Centre: Government has also established a Maritime Survival Training Centre in Entebbe to equip local boat operators with essential maritime safety knowledge and practical survival skills.
Expansion of Inland Water Transport Connectivity: Government continues to expand connectivity across Uganda’s inland waterways through the establishment of new ferry routes and improvement of existing services to serve island and lakeside communities. In addition to the existing 13 ferries, two ferries have been commissioned in Buyende, Kaberamaido and Serere Districts and two additional ferries are under construction on Lake Bunyonyi.
As I conclude;
Fellow Ugandans, Members of the Media, Distinguished Stakeholders,
Uganda’s hosting of the 9th Association of African Maritime Administrations Annual Conference and General Assembly is both an honour and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Africa’s maritime agenda.
As a land-linked country with significant inland water resources, Uganda recognises that the development of an efficient, safe and competitive maritime transport system is fundamental to our national development aspirations, regional integration and participation in international trade.
We are confident that the Conference will provide a valuable platform for translating Africa’s maritime policies and ambitions into practical interventions, supported by strong institutional leadership, coordinated regional action, strategic partnerships and measurable outcomes.
As we welcome our distinguished delegates and participants to Kampala, Uganda reaffirms its commitment to working with African maritime administrations, the International Maritime Organization and other development partners to advance a safe, secure, efficient and sustainable maritime sector that delivers tangible economic and social benefits to the people of Africa.
Uganda looks forward to meaningful deliberations, strengthened partnerships and actionable resolutions that will accelerate Africa’s maritime transformation.