COSASE Summons Uganda Airlines Officials Over Financial Losses and Ghost Suppliers

Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has issued strict summons to both current and former top executives of Uganda Airlines. The officials are required to explain alarming audit queries regarding significant financial losses, the use of uncontracted suppliers, and the poor utilization of the national carrier’s fleet.

The hardline stance follows the failure of several key airline officials to appear before the committee on Monday as originally scheduled.

The executives were expected to respond to damning queries raised in the Auditor General’s report, alongside fresh concerns stemming from COSASE’s recent unannounced inspection of the airline’s operations at Entebbe International Airport.

Those officially summoned include the airline’s Accounting Officer, the Chairperson of the Contracts Committee, the Manager of Corporate Affairs, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The summons broadly cover both current and former individuals who have held these offices.

According to the committee, the unannounced inspection at Entebbe revealed several operational irregularities that corroborate the Auditor General’s findings.

Legislators discovered that aviation fuel suppliers were operating without formal contracts. Furthermore, the committee highlighted significant budget underperformance and questioned why several aircraft remain idle on the tarmac despite the airline’s stated need to expand its operations.

“The directive issued by the Speaker ensures that no accounting officer will be protected by any office,” the COSASE chairperson declared during the proceedings. “Both the current and former accounting officers of Uganda Airlines must appear before this committee without fail to answer these queries.”

The deliberate absence of the airline officials on Monday drew fierce criticism from committee members. Frustrated lawmakers called for punitive measures against public servants who disrespect parliamentary summons, with some suggesting that arrest warrants be issued for officials who continue to dodge the probe.

ALSO READ:

• Court Martial Convicts Wakiso Taxi Driver Over UPDF Attire
• Court Martial Sentences Two State Informers to Death
• Renegade Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu Apprehended in Soroti City Over Subversive Activities
• Abraham Luzzi Slasts UEDCL After Blackout Interrupts Birthday Party
• Celebrated Comedian Kapere Passes Away

During the heated session, MP Bumaali Mpindi suggested that the committee interface with the embattled airline officials behind closed doors, away from the media glare. However, this proposal was swiftly shot down by his colleagues, who insisted that matters concerning taxpayers’ money must be handled transparently.

“We cannot afford to work in a translucent manner when handling public resources,” argued committee member Nangoli, reinforcing the need for public accountability.

The committee ultimately resolved that all summoned officials must appear before COSASE on Thursday morning without fail. To guarantee compliance and prevent further excuses, the chairperson directed that physical copies of the summons be delivered directly to the affected executives by Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) officers attached to Parliament.