Parliament is expressing serious concerns about the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA)’s reputation following the termination of 82 staff members for inadequate academic qualifications.
Members of Parliament (MPs) have since warned that revelations of underqualified staff could severely damage Uganda’s global aviation reputation, undermine passenger confidence, and trigger inquiries from international aviation bodies.
The issue came to light during a meeting between the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) and UCAA officials. This was part of a larger scrutiny of the Authority’s December 2024 Auditor General’s report.
Self-Inflicted Wound on a Global Scale
While UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye clarified that the dismissals were part of a “strategic objective to strengthen human resource capacity” and an “internally initiated audit process,” MPs were highly critical. The core of their argument is that the problem should never have existed in the first place.
Mukono South Legislator Fred Kayondo expressed deep disappointment, stating, “This is an international airport, and due diligence should have been done from the start. We cannot have reports of unqualified staff in such a critical facility. This must never happen again.”
This sentiment, however, underscores a major concern: the initial employment of underqualified individuals at a key international gateway like Entebbe.
COSASE Chairperson Medard Sseggona warned that the news of the terminations, regardless of the employees’ roles, could have “serious global implications.” He explained, “Even if the affected staff were in non-technical roles, such reports could undermine passenger confidence and raise questions about safety and compliance.”
Sseggona advised UCAA to be prepared for inquiries from international counterparts, as such revelations can lead to a loss of trust in a nation’s ability to uphold aviation safety standards.
The Road to Accountability
In defence of the UCAA, Bamwesigye refuted claims that the process was prompted by a presidential directive, telling the Committee that the internal audit process was already underway when the story was leaked. He noted that some staff who were initially flagged later presented genuine qualifications, but ultimately, 82 people were terminated.
The Director General revealed that of these, some had even been seconded from other agencies like the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. According to Bamwesigye, those who falsified documents were dismissed without terminal benefits, while seconded staff were returned to their parent institutions.
While UCAA views the audit as a proactive step toward compliance with global aviation standards, the public and Parliament view it as a symptom of a deeper problem.
What is important to note, however, is that the revelation of underqualified staff at Entebbe International Airport, a facility critical to international trade and tourism, has since created a narrative of potential negligence that could be far more damaging to Uganda’s aviation reputation than the initial problem itself.