Published on 11/08/2025
Parliamentarians have raised concerns about the potential international fallout following reports that the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) terminated the employment of 82 staff members over inadequate academic qualifications.
They warned that such revelations could damage Uganda’s aviation reputation globally.
The concerns arose during a meeting between Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) and UCAA on 7 August 2025, while scrutinising the Authority’s December 2024 Auditor General’s report.
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UCAA Director General Fred Bamwesigye clarified that the number of terminated staff was 82, not 152 as earlier reported, and that the dismissals followed an internal qualifications audit. He explained that the review was part of UCAA’s strategic objective to strengthen human resource capacity in line with global aviation standards.
“This was an internally initiated process to prepare for our next strategic planning phase,” Bamwesigye said. “We assessed staff qualifications to ensure we have the right capacity for future aviation challenges.”
However, MPs criticised UCAA for employing underqualified staff at Entebbe International Airport in the first place.
Fred Kayondo (Mukono South) expressed disappointment, saying: “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.”
COSASE Chairperson Medard Sseggona (Busiro East) warned that the leaked information could have serious global implications.
“Even if the affected staff were in non-technical roles, such reports could undermine passenger confidence and raise questions about safety and compliance,” Sseggona said. “You should prepare for inquiries from international counterparts.”
Media reports in July 2025 claimed that hired without the required qualifications, citing corruption concerns. Sseggona pressed Bamwesigye to explain why the matter appeared to require presidential intervention.
Bamwesigye denied that the process was prompted by the President’s involvement, saying the leak came from an unknown individual while the audit was already underway.
“We were already in the final stages of giving the affected staff a fair hearing,” he said. “Some later presented genuine papers. Ultimately, 82 people were terminated.”
The DG also revealed that some dismissed staff had been seconded from other agencies, including the Uganda Police Force and Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
“In line with our terms and conditions, those found to have falsified documents were dismissed without terminal benefits. Seconded staff were returned to their parent institutions for further action,” Bamwesigye noted.
