The parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has summoned the leadership of Uganda Airlines after officials failed to appear before the committee to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report.
By 10.30am, MPs had gathered and were ready to question the airline’s management, but none of the officials expected before the committee had arrived.
The absence prompted MPs to debate how the committee should respond, with some calling for a tougher approach to ensure that Uganda Airlines officials attend future hearings.
Gerald Nangodi, an MP, asked the committee chairperson, Muwada Nkunyingi, to use his powers to compel the airline’s officials to appear.
“Please use your power to drag Uganda Airlines to appear here,” Nangodi said.
Other MPs urged the committee to avoid creating an unnecessarily hostile atmosphere.
Ronald Muhenda, the MP for Fort Portal Central Division, said the committee’s intention was not to harass the airline’s management but to help address issues affecting the corporation.
“Uganda Airlines should know that we are not here to harass them, but rather we are trying to make their work easy,” Muhenda said.
Bumaali Mpindi, the MP representing persons with disabilities, also called for a less confrontational approach.
“I am disappointed that they did not come and did not write, but what I gather is that the interface with the committee alongside the media has affected them,” Mpindi said.
He suggested that the committee consider questioning the officials without the media present if that would encourage them to participate.
“We should find a way of interrogating them minus the media,” he added.
Sarah Logose, the woman MP for Butaleja, disagreed with calls for a softer approach, saying all government entities should be treated equally when appearing before Parliament.
“I do not agree with members that want to handle issues with soft gloves. Every entity is equal to the other. Uganda Airlines should appear,” Logose said.
Hakim Kizza, the MP for Bukoto South, accused the airline’s management of appearing to disregard the committee, although he did not explain why the officials had failed to attend.
“These people seem to be undermining the committee because it is not the appointing authority,” Kizza said.
He also referred to what he described as difficulties Parliament had faced in dealing with Uganda Airlines during the previous Parliament.
“They were protected in the previous Parliament and went away with it. We are awaiting to see how the current Speaker handles this whole thing,” Kizza said.
Following the debate, Nkunyingi ruled that the committee would issue formal summons requiring the officials to appear before it during the week.
“This committee shall accordingly issue summons to Uganda Airlines to appear this week, and the summons will be served by police officers,” Nkunyingi said.
He said the summons would target specific officials and bodies within the airline.
Those to be summoned individually include the accounting officer, chief finance officer, members of the contracts committee, the manager of corporate affairs, and the current and former chief executive officers.
“I direct the clerk to have the summons ready in 30 minutes, and we shall follow up by making sure they are ably issued and served,” Nkunyingi said.
The committee’s action follows concerns raised in the Auditor General’s report about the management of Uganda Airlines.
The audit raised a number of issues, including financial inconsistencies and other matters concerning the corporation’s management.
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