Members of Parliament on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure have raised concerns over the accumulation of debts amounting to Shs233.9 billion by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), faulting the authority for failing to establish a clear repayment plan.
During an interface with UCAA officials, committee members were informed that contractors who executed various projects for the authority are owed the outstanding amount.
The MPs warned that the debt could continue to grow due to monthly interest charges, urging the authority to provide a clear strategy for settling the arrears.
The committee, chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka, also questioned the academic qualifications of UCAA employees after learning that at least 89 staff members had previously been flagged over allegations of possessing forged academic documents.
Members further criticized what they described as inadequate oversight of Uganda Airlines, despite previous concerns raised by the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) and other stakeholders.
They argued that weaknesses in supervision of the national carrier contributed to significant financial losses.
Responding to the concerns, State Minister for Works Ali Musa, who led the UCAA delegation, said the issue of forged academic documents had already been addressed.
The minister said the authority had verified employees’ qualifications with respective academic institutions, conducted a comprehensive staff vetting exercise, and dismissed all staff members found to have presented fake documents.
On the outstanding debt, Ali Musa assured the committee that UCAA had put measures in place to clear the Shs233.9 billion owed to contractors within six months, while continuing efforts to resolve other operational challenges affecting the authority.
Committee Chairperson Mwine Mpaka later directed UCAA Deputy Director General Olive Birungi Lumonya to submit the academic credentials of all members of the authority’s top management for further scrutiny.
By Francis Lubega
16th July 2026
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