The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) is facing scrutiny over its internal systems for verifying academic qualifications after more than 82 staff members were reportedly found to have submitted forged academic documents.
The issue emerged during a hearing by the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), after committee chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi revealed that several former UCAA employees had petitioned the committee, challenging their dismissal from the authority.
Appearing before the committee, UCAA Director of Human Resources Sabah Ahmed Kakooza said the affected employees had their contracts terminated after an academic document verification exercise established that they had presented forged qualifications.
Kakooza told the committee that the verification exercise identified more than 82 staff members whose academic documents were allegedly forged.
The revelation raised questions about how the documents were initially accepted and whether UCAA had adequate mechanisms to verify the academic qualifications of its employees before and during their service.
Committee members also questioned management about efforts to recover public funds that may have been paid to the affected employees during their employment.
Kakooza told the committee that UCAA had resolved not to pay terminal benefits to the affected officers.
The committee also raised concerns over discrepancies in the cost and delivery of a transformer procured to improve power supply at Entebbe International Airport.
According to the information presented to COSASE, the transformer is valued at Sh2.38 billion, while UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye had earlier told the committee that the equipment would cost about Sh1 billion.
The committee questioned management over the apparent discrepancy in the figures and the delayed delivery of the transformer.
The equipment was expected to be delivered by December 2025, but had reportedly not been delivered by the time of the COSASE hearing.
The two issues have put UCAA’s recruitment and verification procedures, procurement processes and financial controls under increased scrutiny.
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