No more passenger extortion at Entebbe International Airport

TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp were awash with videos of Entebbe Airport staff extorting money from passengers

Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority has issued fresh guidelines for travelers following a spate of complaints from departing passengers that have surfaced on social media.

TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp were awash with videos of airport staff extorting money from passengers, the majority of whom are migrant workers and first-time travelers, intimidated by the whole experience.

Several airport staff who were caught on camera have since been terminated including 24 who are currently under investigation.

According to the Director General of CAA, Fred Bamwesigye, operational airport staff, many of whom are seconded from other agencies, including Department of Immigrations and Citizenship, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, Airport Security, etc. henceforth shall be required to wear uniforms at their desks or stations with tags bearing their names and will not be allowed to have their mobile phones at their desks, with a senior supervisor available and under extra CCTV monitoring in a bid to harmonize the handling processes.

A directive issued on 30th January, 2023 outlines the basic travel requirements for departing passengers travelling through Entebbe International Airport as follows:

1. A valid passport
2. A valid visa for countries where this is required
3. An airline ticket (hard copy or e-ticket)
4. Valid Yellow fever vaccination card in case the destination country requires it; otherwise, passengers must seek for additional information from their respective airlines regarding destination travel requirements (as some of these keep changing from time to time or may be beyond what is stated above).
   Travel process for departing Passengers through Entebbe International Airport
5. First Security Checkpoint at the gate/entrance of Entebbe International Airport: The driver and occupants of the vehicle are required to undergo security screening and the motor vehicle is physically inspected.
6. Car park access: The cars are to be parked in the public car park and the passenger accesses the departure level to start on the travel process.
7. Second Security point on departure level: Travelling passengers are separated from non travellers. The passenger should show their passport and ticket so as to proceed to the restricted area.
8. Hold Baggage Check point: Passengers’ bags are screened through the screening machine by Aviation Security staff.
9. Documents Verification: At this point, a passenger is required to show their passport as their legal identity and the ticket showing their destination of travel to the Airline staff or their representatives, the Ground Handling Staff who after verification will stamp either the visa (if paper visa) or the ticket for the next step of check-in. A valid yellow fever vaccination card should be presented (in case the destination country requires).
   it). Any non- compliances will be communicated to the passenger and if they cannot be fulfilled, the passenger may be denied travel.
10. Check in Counters and Baggage drop: After meeting the destination requirements, the passenger presents the passport, ticket, or visa with stamp for check in.

Baggage weight is measured in accordance with the required weight as indicated on the passenger ticket.

In case of any excess baggage, ticket changes or upgrades, the passenger is advised on the cost and is referred to the relevant airline for payment. Physical or electronic receipts will be issued for such payments.

The passenger is then issued with a boarding pass and baggage claim tags. It is noted that there are two types of check- in for passengers i.e.:

• Online checked -in passengers who do not need to go through the check-in counters, if they do not have baggage to check- in.

• Non-online checked in passengers who have to follow all the processes of check-in as follows:

For the Immigration desk responsible for boarder management and detection of human and child trafficking:

1. The passenger will be required to present their passport for exit visa/ stamp, boarding passes and hotel booking after which immigration officers shall permit the passenger to proceed for travel if they meet the destination requirements and have complied with Uganda’s rules and regulations. In case the departing passenger had visited Uganda, they shouldn’t have exceeded the issued visa period.

If there are any pertinent reasons (non compliance with any of the requirements), the passenger may be denied exit by immigration, and in that case the airline or Ground handling agent is informed.

2. At the last Security check:

The passenger will be required to go through this security point before entering the boarding gate and any prohibited item will be withdrawn from the passenger. The items may be handed over to the passenger’s family, if they are still available at the Airport or may be disposed- off by security through a court order.

Baggage weight is measured in accordance with the required weight as indicated on the passenger ticket.

In case of any excess baggage, ticket changes or upgrades, the passenger is advised on the cost and is referred to the relevant airline for payment. Physical or electronic receipts will be issued for such payments.

The passenger is then issued with a boarding pass and baggage claim tags.

Hotlines:

General Manager, Entebbe International Airport – +256(0)702055158