Members of Parliament (MPs) sitting on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure have expressed frustration with officials from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) over their failure to release a report on the plane incident involving Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa last year.
In August of the previous year, Tayebwa and others survived a plane crash at Nyakisharara in Mbarara District. The plane, operated by BAR Aviation, crash-landed while transporting the Deputy Speaker and his team.
Led by UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye, the officials appeared before the committee but faced criticism for their failure to fulfill their responsibilities, particularly in regulating private aircraft that often endanger lives.
Ronnie Barongo, the Director of Safety, Security, and Economic Regulation, explained that investigations into the incident are still ongoing. However, this response did little to satisfy the MPs, who accused the UCAA of dragging its feet.
The MPs also questioned why the authority has not established a clear database of private aircraft and their operators.
Fred Bamwesigye, the UCAA Director General, appealed to the committee for more time to complete the investigation into the incident.
The MPs, however, remain adamant, demanding accountability and transparency from the UCAA to ensure the safety of air travel in the country.
