Cosase Inspects Entebbe Airport Over Shs17 Billion in Idle Assets, Procurement Delays

Lawmakers on the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) have physically inspected Entebbe International Airport as part of an ongoing investigation into the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

The oversight visit, led by Cosase Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi, aimed to verify findings from the 2025 Auditor General’s report, which flagged substantial sums of money tied to idle assets and delayed procurements.

During the inspection on Thursday, August 20, 2026, MPs examined key infrastructure, including baggage handling systems, security scanners, and fire trucks. Several items, valued at approximately Shs17.4 billion, were identified as either unused or subject to protracted procurement processes.

“In line with the findings of the Auditor General, at the new terminal, we found that the scanners for the baggage area haven’t been installed or even procured or if procured, they haven’t been delivered,” Mr. Nkunyingi stated, expressing concern over the delays.

The committee also noted issues with existing equipment, such as a malfunctioning main scanner in the old terminal, which forces staff to revert to manual operations. UCAA management attributed the non-delivery of a newly procured power transformer to ongoing logistical challenges.

Mr. Nkunyingi warned that such delays could lead to increased costs for the government due to fluctuating market prices. Despite these issues, he acknowledged improvements in some areas, such as the acquisition of new fire trucks.

This site visit followed a contentious session where Cosase members questioned the UCAA’s leadership structure and the prevalence of acting senior executives, raising concerns about their authority to address audit queries.

UCAA’s Acting Director General, Olive Birungi Lumonya, welcomed the inspection, stating it offered a clearer perspective on the progress made since the audit. She highlighted that despite operational challenges, the aviation sector is experiencing robust growth, with passenger traffic increasing by 11 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, and cargo volumes also seeing a rise.

The committee expects UCAA management to provide detailed action plans and supporting documentation for all outstanding issues.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)