For decades, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), under the leadership of Fred Bamwesigye as the Director General, stood as a symbol of national pride, driving remarkable growth in regional aviation.
It spearheaded record passenger numbers, modernised infrastructure, and cemented Entebbe International Airport’s status as a vital East African hub.
The UCAA was the engine behind Uganda’s soaring ambitions in the skies.
But today, that beacon of progress is under severe threat. What began as a presidential directive from H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to dismiss over 150 staff for irregular recruitment has rapidly unravelled into a full-scale crisis.
A damning Auditor General’s report has exposed a staggering web of mismanagement, procurement chaos, and financial recklessness, raising profound questions about the very operational integrity and long-term viability of Uganda’s aviation authority.
A Deep Dive into UCAA’s Failures
Auditor General Edward Akol’s 2024 report paints a troubling picture that extends far beyond staffing issues, revealing systemic vulnerabilities threatening to ground UCAA’s once-unblemished reputation, which include:
Skyrocketing Debt and Zero Repayments
UCCA is battling a staggering Shs723 billion in growing debt tied to the Entebbe Airport upgrade loan from the China EXIM Bank.
Despite clear contractual obligations, UCAA has made zero repayments to the Government of Uganda (GoU), which has already begun servicing the loan on UCAA’s behalf.
Massive Revenue Shortfalls
The UCCA has failed to collect over Shs2.6 billion in rental arrears from government agencies occupying airport space, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone owing Shs58 billion. Crucially, the absence of formal agreements makes enforcement nearly impossible.
Procurement Chaos
The report highlights disturbing revelations of contracts worth Shs2.235 billion executed despite invalid bid securities, alongside Shs73.365 billion in procurements lacking critical documentation on the e-Government Procurement (eGP) system, signalling a severe lack of transparency and accountability.
Car Parking System: A Black Hole of Funds
An audit of the Entebbe Airport car parking system exposed over 50,000 unaccounted transactions, including 23,000 exits without matching entry records and over 54,000 transactions with missing or fake license plate numbers.
Direct Cash Siphoning
A shocking Shs68.6 million was “irregularly spent at source” via “I Owe You’s” (IOUs) by staff before banking, a blatant violation of financial procedures.
The comprehensive findings underscore a chilling reality, which points to the fact that the problem is not merely operational inefficiency.
UCAA’s core systems, spanning revenue collection, debt governance, procurement, and IT infrastructure, are riddled with systemic gaps that, if unaddressed, signal an institutional collapse threatening Uganda’s aviation future.
Weak IT Controls
The absence of disaster recovery plans, a lack of system logs, and non-segregation of duties further compound vulnerabilities, suggesting not merely poor oversight but potential deliberate manipulation of records and funds.
The Real Cost: A Grounded Future?
What began as a recruitment scandal has rapidly escalated into a comprehensive case study of institutional decay at UCAA.
The implications stretch far beyond the UCAA’s balance sheet, threatening:
Investor Confidence: Uganda’s reliability as an investment destination is at risk.
Tourism Competitiveness: The efficiency and reputation of its primary air gateway are in limbo.
Uganda’s Regional Standing: Its position as a leader in East African aviation is being threatened by scandal.
Public Trust: Faith in government oversight and management of vital public assets is being eroded.
An Urgent Call for Reform
For UCAA to reclaim its status as a beacon of regional aviation, radical steps are urgently needed. This includes:
Independent Investigations and Prosecutions: To ensure accountability for financial misappropriation and negligence.
Comprehensive Internal Audit Reforms: To plug systemic gaps in financial management, procurement, and IT.
Aggressive Debt Restructuring and Recovery: Prioritising the collection of outstanding dues and renegotiating burdensome loan terms.
Transparent and Strong Leadership: Replacing legacy systems with robust governance and unwavering commitment to public service.
Editor’s Commentary
Uganda must acknowledge that its aviation sector is not just about aircraft; it is about national pride, economic strategy, and international perception.
A broken regulator means a potentially grounded future. The time for decisive action is now!