Uganda Airlines Faces Parliamentary Investigation Over Staffing Irregularities

Parliamentary Committee Investigates Uganda Airlines Over Staffing Irregularities After Presidential Order  

KAMPALA – A parliamentary oversight committee has launched a thorough investigation into Uganda Airlines' recruitment practices following a directive from President Museveni, who raised concerns about potential irregularities in the national carrier's workforce.  

The probe comes after the President's June 25th letter to Works and Transport Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, which highlighted serious concerns about the airline's staffing. The presidential communication specifically mentioned 152 questionable appointments, including employees allegedly working without proper documentation and possible ghost workers on the payroll.  

During tense committee hearings, Uganda Airlines CEO Fred K. Bamwesigye provided clarification on the scope of their internal review. While acknowledging the ongoing audit, Bamwesigye disputed the President's figures, stating that only 82 staff members were currently under investigation rather than the 152 initially cited. He emphasised that the airline had already begun its review process before receiving the presidential directive.  

The committee learned that these staffing issues may have contributed to operational problems, including a notable 40-minute delay in 2023 when an aircraft carrying Maria Nyerere, former Tanzanian First Lady, was held up due to what sources describe as staffing-related complications.  

Members of Parliament expressed particular concern about several key issues emerging from their preliminary examination. These include alleged cases of fraudulent academic credentials among staff members, apparent mismatches between employee qualifications and their assigned technical positions, and potential violations of standard recruitment protocols in the hiring process.  

This investigation comes at a critical juncture for Uganda Airlines as the carrier works to expand its regional route network and prepares to integrate new Airbus A330neo aircraft into its fleet. The national airline has been working toward achieving profitability by 2026, making this scrutiny of its human resources practices particularly timely.  

The parliamentary committee has established strict deadlines for the airline's management, demanding complete staff academic documents, detailed job descriptions for all positions, and comprehensive recruitment timelines within 14 days. Meanwhile, Minister Katumba Wamala is expected to deliver a progress report to Cabinet within the next month.