COSASE Halts Civil Aviation Probe, Cites Director General's Absence

The House Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has halted its probe into the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA). The decision came after officials, led by Deputy Director General Olive Birungi Lumonya, appeared before the committee on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

COSASE, chaired by Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, had summoned UCAA officials to address concerns stemming from the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 30, 2025. These concerns were compounded by a recent presidential directive on July 17, 2026, calling for the immediate retirement of several senior UCAA staff due to alleged corruption and mismanagement.

Lumonya, who has been acting Director General for 33 days, was asked to present her appointment instruments. However, committee members, including Hon. Bumali Mpindi and Hon. Richard Senteza, questioned her authority to represent the Director General and act as Accounting Officer, especially since the substantive Director General was only temporarily absent due to health reasons and had not formally delegated powers.

The committee expressed doubts about the capacity of the present officials to adequately respond to the complex queries. As a result, they resolved to conduct an on-site inspection of UCAA facilities in Entebbe on Thursday, August 20, 2026, to further their investigation.

Lumonya had informed the committee that all affected staff had completed their handover procedures and that the UCAA Board of Directors had been notified of the presidential directive. The investigation continues into allegations of rampant corruption, delayed projects, and issues at Entebbe International Airport.

Source: Parliament of Uganda